Table 1.

Major side effects of commonly used immunosuppression

Immunosuppressant	Side effects
Calcineurin inhibitors	Renal impairment Infections (viral, bacterial and fungal) increased risk Hyperuricaemia Gout Hypertension Hypercholesterolaemia Glucose intolerance Hypomagnesaemia Hyperkalaemia Headaches/migraines Insomnia Tremor Hirsuitism Gum hypertrophy
Mycophenolate	Diarrhoea Leucopenia Teratogenic (should be avoided by mother prior to and during pregnancy and male patients planning to father children. Men should use condoms during treatment and for at least 90 days after cessation of treatment. Female partners should also use a highly effective method of contraception for this duration.) Infections (viral, bacterial and fungal)
Corticosteroids	Sodium retention Fluid retention Potassium depletion Infections (viral, bacterial and fungal) Hypertension Carbohydrate intolerance and diabetes mellitus Cushingoid facies Growth retardation Menstrual irregularities Ophthalmological issues, for example, cataracts, glaucoma Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, aseptic necrosis of femoral head Myopathy Muscle weakness Increased bruising Skin thinning/acne Altered mood Headaches Peptic ulceration Pancreatitis
mTORi	Infections (viral, bacterial and fungal) Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia Impaired wound healing Lymphocoele Rash Menstrual disorders Interstitial lung disease Hyperlipidaemia Proteinuria Possible increased risk of hepatic artery thrombosis Infections (viral, bacterial and fungal) Hepatotoxicity Bone marrow suppression

mTORi, mTOR inhibitor.