Table 6.
Commonly used immunosuppressive drugs: targets, main side effects, and selectivity
| Method | Target | Major side effects | Selectivity |
| Steroids | Lymphocytes/RES | Osteoporosis, diabetes, psychosis, infection, obesity | + |
| Azathioprine | Lymphocytes | Marrow suppression, hepatopathy | ++ |
| Polyclonal antithymocyte globulin | T lymphocytes | Infection, malignancies | ++ |
| Monoclonal CD3 antibodies | CD3+ T lymphocytes | Infection, malignancies | +++ |
| Mycophenolate | De novo purine synthesis in lymphocytes | Gastrointestinal | ++++ |
| Cyclosporine | IL2 inhibition in T lymphocytes | Nephropathy | ++++ |
| Tacrolimus | IL2 inhibition in T lymphocytes | Nephropathy | ++++ |
| Daclizumab | IL2 receptor antibodies | None | ++++ |
RES, reticuloendothelial system.