What are examples of immunomodulators?
Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide. Thalidomide (Thalomid), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and pomalidomide (Pomalyst) are known as immunomodulating drugs (or IMiDs). These drugs can cause side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, constipation, low blood cell counts, and neuropathy (painful nerve damage).
How do immunomodulators work in IBD?
Immunomodulators work by suppressing the overly active immune response that occurs in IBD. 6MP and azathioprine (Imuran) are closely related drugs as azathioprine is converted into 6MP in the body.
How do immunosuppressants work for Crohn’s disease?
As their name suggests, immunosuppressants suppress (reduce the effectiveness of) the immune system (the body’s protection system against harmful substances). They are helpful in IBD because, in doing so they also reduce levels of inflammation.
How are immunomodulators administered?
About Immunomodulators They also may be used in combination with other medications, such as biologics, and can be injected or taken in pill form depending on the medication. You can learn more about immunomodulators in our IBD Medication Guide or our immunodulator fact sheet.
What do you mean by immunomodulators?
A: Immunomodulators are substances that can help support immune function by modifying, generally in a beneficial way, the immune system’s response to a threat.
Are immunomodulators safe?
Despite these advances, immunomodulators are also associated with substantial medication-safety concerns. The potential for adverse drug reactions, serious drug-related complications, and medication errors is significant.
Do immunomodulators weaken your immune system?
Immunomodulators reduce the activity of the immune system. In so doing, they also decrease the body’s ability to combat infection and certain cancers like skin cancer or lymphoma.