glossary

immunosuppressive

Definition immunosuppressive

immunosuppressivehol

immunosuppressive n. a drug, such as *azathioprine or *cyclophosphamide, that reduces the body's resistance to infetion and other foreign bodies by suppressing the immune system. Immunosuppressives are used to maintain the survival of organ and tissue transplants and to treat various *autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Because immunity is lowered during treatment with immunosuppressives, there is an increased risk of infection.