For as long as you have a kidney transplant, you will have to take one or more immunosuppressive medicines. These medicines help keep your body from rejecting your new kidney. It is extremely important to take your medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Not taking your medicine at the right time and in the correct amount is one of the most common reasons for kidney transplant failure.

Here are some things to keep in mind when taking kidney antirejection medicine:

• Never skip a dose or change the amount of medication or how often you take it unless your physician tells you to. If you accidentally skip a dose, tell your kidney transplant team immediately. Do not take a double dose.
• If you experience side effects such as nausea or upset stomach, report them to your kidney transplant team—but do not stop taking your medication. You and your kidney transplant team can work together to try to minimize your side effects.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicine without first consulting your kidney transplant team. Kidney transplant medications are very powerful and can interact with other medicines, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal medicines.
• Always check to see if your medicine looks exactly the same as previous doses. If there are any changes in your medication's appearance, call your kidney transplant team immediately.
• Keep medicine in a dry place, away from light or heat, in its original container and out of the reach of children. Do not keep medicine in a bathroom cabinet where it can be exposed to moisture.
• Keep a record of the names of all the medicines you are taking (their brand and generic names), as well as the dose (number of milligrams) and dosage (number of tablets/capsules per day) of each. Maintain a monthly, weekly or daily calendar to remind yourself of your medication schedule.