Immunosuppressive/immunomodulant therapy (principles, products: methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine-A, cyclophosphamide, high dose IVIG, side effects)

1. Big picture

Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapy means controlled weakening or redirection of the immune response to prevent immune-mediated tissue damage.

In Internal Medicine, these drugs are used when inflammation is causing organ damage, for example in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune cytopenias, nephritis, myositis, and transplant rejection.

The examiner wants you to know:

1. Why immunosuppression is needed
2. Which immune pathway each drug blocks
3. Which diseases each drug is used for
4. What must be checked before starting treatment
5. The dangerous side effects and how to preven