NUR 3251 - Pharmacology for Nurses II : Module 7 Immunosuppressants, and Medications for Gout, Myasthenia Gravis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Study Guide

NUR 3251 - Pharmacology for Nurses II : Module 7 Immunosuppressants, and Medications for Gout, Myasthenia Gravis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Study Guide. Deficiencies in immunity: Clinical hallmark is a tendency to develop unusual or recurrent, severe infections. Bone marrow suppression – neutropenia & thrombocytopenia Immunosuppressant drugs are used to treat autoimmune diseases. With an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue. Because immunosuppressant drugs weaken the immune system, they suppress this reaction. This helps reduce the impact of the autoimmune disease on the body Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDD) are a group of more than 300 diseases. These conditions are due to defects in the body's defenses (immune system). Disorders resulting from immune deficiency are the clinical sequelae of impaired function of one or more components of the immune or inflammatory response, including B cells, T cells, phagocytes, and compliment. Primary (congenital) deficiency is a genetic anomaly, whereas secondary (acquired) is caused by another illness, such as cancer or viral infection, or by normal physiologic changes, such as aging. Acquired forms are far more common than congenital. azathioprine-Imuran Azathioprine (Imuran) is a drug used in certain autoimmune conditions (diseases where the body’s natural defense system attacks itself). It suppresses the immune system by interfering with DNA synthesis (the creation of DNA molecules). It is used in dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions cyclosporine