Drugs used to reduce T cells primarily include Calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and cyclosporine.
T cells are a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections. However, in certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or organ transplantation, it is necessary to reduce the activity or number of T cells to prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissues or transplanted organs.
How These Drugs Work
The reference highlights a specific class of drugs known as Calcineurin inhibitors. These medications are effective in reducing T-cell activity by targeting an essential step in their activation process.
According to the reference:
- Calcineurin inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that stimulates T-cells.
- By blocking this enzyme, these drugs effectively reduce the proliferation and activity of T-cells.
Specific Drugs Mentioned
Based on the provided reference, the following specific Calcineurin inhibitors are used to reduce T cells:
- Tacrolimus: Available under brand names such as Envarsus XR® and Protopic®.
- Cyclosporine: Available under brand names such as Gengraf®, Neoral®, and Sandimmune®.
These drugs are examples of immunosuppressants often used in medical settings to modulate the immune response by reducing the function of T-cells.
