Pharmacy Team: Heart & Lung Transplant Service

After your transplant, the pharmacist will meet you on the ward to explain your newly prescribed medicines. They will cover:

· what each medicine is for

· how and when to take it

· important side effects to look out for

They will also provide written information and answer any questions you or your carer may have. During your stay on Jim Quick Ward, the pharmacist reviews your regular medicines, checks your prescription chart each day, and ensures you have enough medicines to take home.

A dedicated outpatient pharmacy service was introduced in 2026. The outpatient pharmacist supports the supply of specialist transplant medicines and provides medication reviews during your clinic appointments.

Immunosuppressants

You will take immunosuppressant medicines for life. These prevent your immune system from rejecting your transplanted organ. Your exact combination and doses are tailored to you by the transplant team. Common medicines include:

• tacrolimus or ciclosporin
• mycophenolate or azathioprine
• prednisolone

Only your transplant team should make changes to brand, dose, formulation, or type of immunosuppressant. These medicines are supplied by the hospital. Because immunosuppressants weaken your immune system, they also increase the risk of infections and some cancers. Report any signs of infection or unexplained bleeding immediately to your transplant team. Protecting your skin from the sun is important to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Anti-infective Medicines

To prevent infections, you may be prescribed:

• Antibiotics, usually co-trimoxazole
• Antivirals, such as valganciclovir to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) or aciclovir to prevent herpes simplex virus (HSV), depending on your test results.
• Antifungals, such as fluconazole or itraconazole (some may interact with immunosuppressants, so it is important to attend clinic and take your medicines as instructed by the team).

Other Important Medicines

You may also be prescribed:

• medicines to protect bone health (long term steroid use can increase fracture risk).
• paracetamol for pain, avoiding aspirin-like painkillers such as ibuprofen.
• statins to manage cholesterol.
• anti-ulcer/reflux medicines e.g. lansoprazole.
• allopurinol to prevent gout (some immunosuppressants can increase risk of gout).

Always check with your transplant team before taking any new medicines, vitamins, herbal products, or over-the-counter treatments, as they may interact with your transplant medicines.

When travelling, keep your immunosuppressant medicines in your hand luggage. Always carry more than you need for the trip and take a list of your medicines and doses in case of emergency.