Pancreas transplant medicines

You will need to take immune suppressant medicines to reduce the risk of rejection. The doses of these medicines usually reduce over time, but some immunosuppressant medicines will be needed for the lifetime of the pancreas transplant.

Common immunosuppressants include: 

• Tacrolimus: in high doses, this can impair kidney function. Blood tests are needed to make sure the correct dose is given. Blood sugars can be raised.
• Ciclosporin: in high doses, this can impair kidney function. Blood tests are needed to make sure the correct dose is given.
• Steroids (e.g. prednisolone): this can cause high blood pressure, increased appetite and thinned skin. Blood sugars can be raised.
• Mycophenolate mofetil: this can cause diarrhoea or nausea. The number of white cells in the blood can be reduced. Women who wish to get pregnant and are taking mycophenolate mofetil should discuss with their transplant team as they will need an alternative immunosuppressant. Men who wish to father children are also sometimes advised to switch from this medicine before trying for a baby.

You will need antibiotic and antiviral medicines to reduce the risk of infection. These usually stop between 3 and 12 months after a transplant, but your transplant team will advise you about this.

You will need painkillers for the first few months.

You may need medicines to lower your blood pressure. This is often required at some point in the first year

These are known as anticoagulants and work to thin your blood and prevent clots. Some transplant patients will be prescribed anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Some immunosuppressants and blood thinners can cause stomach irritation, so you are likely be given medicines to protect the lining of your stomach (e.g. omeprazole).

Some of the immunosuppressant medicines can weaken your bones (osteoporosis). This is particularly true for women after the menopause. You will be give medicines to prevent osteoporosis and your transplant team will advise you whether you need a bone scan to measure how strong your bones are (“bone density”).

Unless your doctor says otherwise, you will need to continue to take any medicines you were taking before your transplant for other health issues. You may also need other medicines for new health issues that have been diagnosed since your transplant.

Because immunosuppressants work by lowering your immune system, this means you are more likely to pick up infections. You will be given some extra medicines to prevent infection alongside the immunosuppressant medicines in the first few months after transplant.

Learn more about pancreas transplants and infections

Weight gain is common after a transplant, especially in the first year. Some of the medicines, in particular, prednisolone, may cause weight gain or increase your appetite.

Other contributing factors include your diet often being less restrictive after transplant, and a good appetite being a sign of improving health. But too much weight gain places a strain on your heart and the pancreas transplant so it’s important to eat healthily and stay active as much as possible.

If you put on too much weight it’s likely that you’ll need medicines (perhaps even insulin) to lower your blood sugars.

Immunosuppressants can irritate your stomach lining. Your care team is likely to give you medicines to help protect your stomach and prevent these side effects.

Some of the immunosuppressant medicines can weaken your bones (osteoporosis). This is particularly true for women after the menopause.

Your transplant team will advise you whether you need a bone scan to measure how strong your bones are (“bone density”), and whether you need medicines to strengthen your bones. If you break a bone following your pancreas transplant, tell your transplant team.