Agent | Mechanism of action | Side-effects |
ATG | Fixes numerous antigens on lymphoid cells; depletion of circulating lymphocytes | Cytokine release syndrome |
| Leukopaenia, thrombopaenia |
OKT3 | Fixes CD3 present on T‐lymphocytes; depletion of circulating lymphocytes | Cytokine release syndrome |
| Pro-coagulation effect |
| | Possible sensitisation with loss of efficacy |
Daclizumab | Binds the α‐chain of IL‐2 receptor; blocks the proliferation induced by IL‐2 | Unreported |
Basiliximab | Binds the α‐chain of IL‐2 receptor; blocks the proliferation induced by IL‐2 | Unreported |
Cyclosporin A | Binds cyclophylin; inhibits calcineurin; inhibits cytokine gene transcription | Nephrotoxicity |
| Hypertension |
| | Hypercholesterolaemia |
| | Hypertrichosis |
| | Gingival hypertrophy |
Tacrolimus | Binds FKBP‐12; inhibits calcineurin; inhibits cytokine gene transcription | Nephrotoxicity |
| Hypertension |
| | Neurotoxicity |
| | Diabetes mellitus |
| | Alopecia |
Azathioprine | Inhibits purine biosynthesis and lymphocyte proliferation | Leukopaenia |
Mycophenolate mofetil | Inhibits purine biosynthesis and lymphocyte proliferation | Diarrhoea |
| | Leukopaenia |
Sirolimus/everolimus | Binds FKBP‐12; inhibits the proliferative response to cytokines and growth factors | Hyperlipaemia |
| Thrombocytopaenia |
| | Arthralgia |