ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -After an organ transplant, you will need to take immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) drugs. These drugs help prevent your immune system from attacking ("rejecting") the donor organ. Typically, they must be taken for the lifetime of your transplanted organ.

Detailed explanation-2: -You will be prescribed medications to help prevent infection after transplant, but generally these will only need to be taken for 3-6 months until your immune system is strong enough to defend itself against infection.

Detailed explanation-3: -Patients must also take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to keep the immune system from attacking transplanted organs. But these drugs can make it hard to fight off infections. The drugs may also boost the risk for diabetes, cancer and other conditions.

Detailed explanation-4: -Currently, patients receiving a kidney transplant are required to take anti-rejection medications regardless of how closely related or matched they are to the donor.