Transplant Center

Drug Interactions

The medications commonly used after transplant have many drug interactions as well as some food interactions. These interactions are likely to change the level of immunosuppression in your body and may lead to a rejection episode or side effects. In order to prevent these drug interactions, please contact your physician or pharmacist before starting any new medications including over the counter drugs and herbal medications. Call the hospital operator at 801-581-2121 and asked to be transferred to the transplant pharmacist or your transplant coordinator.


Common Drug Interactions with Immunosuppressants

(This list is NOT all inclusive, please contact your transplant pharmacist when starting a new medication)

Drugs that may affect the kidney, including:

aminoglycoside antibiotics, vancomycin, amphotericin B

Potassium Sparing Diuretics (water pills):

Triamterene, amiloride, spironolactone

Certain Anti-seizure Drugs:

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital

Macrolide Antibiotics:

Erythromycin, clarithromycin

Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure medicine):

Diltiazem, verapamil

Azole Antifungals:

Fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole

Herbals:

St. John’s Wort

Fruits:

Grapefruit & Juice