Other Supplementary Medications

The risk of infection is highest during the first year after liver transplantation because of the high doses of immunosuppressant drugs. Therefore, you will be taking a number of other medications to guard against infections.

Antibiotics	Prescribed whenever you have fever
Bactrim	Antibiotic; Prevents upper respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia	Nausea Low blood count Sensitivity to sunlight
Zovirax (acyclovir) or Cymevene (gancyclovir)	Antiviral; Prevents infections resulting from CMV, cold sores, chicken pox and shingles	Low white blood cells count Low platelet count
Nystatin Oral Suspension and Clotrimazole Troches	Antifungal; Treats thrush, a white coating or patches, in the mouth, tongue and throat	Nausea Loose stools Stomach pain
Diflucan (fluconazole)	Antifungal; Prescribed to patients on long-term antibiotics before transplant	Nausea Diarrhoea
Zantac (ranitidine) or Losec (omeprazole)	Anti-ulcer; Prescribed to counter the side effects (ulcer) of prednisolone
Amlodipine	Antihypertensive; Lowers blood pressure	Dizziness Fainting Feeling cold and clammy Low blood pressure Nausea Vomitting Confusion
Calcium	Supplement; Replaces loss of calcium caused by prednisone intake
Iron	Supplement; For anaemia	Constipation Hard, dark stools Nausea Stomach upset
Vitamin C	Supplement; To improve absorption of iron supplement
Folate	Supplement; For anaemia

Page 1  2  3