immunosuppressant

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immunosuppressant (im-yoo-noh-sŭ-press-ănt) n. a drug, such as azathioprine or ciclosporin, that reduces the body's resistance to infection and other foreign bodies by suppressing the immune system. Immunosuppressants are used to maintain the survival of organ and tissue transplants and to treat various autoimmune diseases (see disease-modifying antirheumatic drug). Side-effects include increased susceptibility to infection due to damage to the blood-forming cells of bone marrow.

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