immunosuppressant

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sant ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-sᵊnt 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

plural immunosuppressants

: an agent (such as a drug) that suppresses the immune response

The drug was a strong immunosuppressant and was lowering the rats' T-cell counts, making them more vulnerable to infections.

—Chip Brown

… a highly specific immunosuppressant that prevents patients from rejecting transplanted tissue.

—Barry Werth

immunosuppressant adjective

immunosuppressant drugs

Examples of immunosuppressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such cell lines would be gene-edited to be matched to patients, to obviate a strong need for immunosuppressants. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Certain drugs that act as immunosuppressants, known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors, may also be used. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024

Consuming immunosuppressants, which reduce your body's natural immune response Having other preexisting health conditions like diabetes Wearing hats or helmets in hot environments Diagnosis Your healthcare provider or dermatologist can diagnose scalp folliculitis with a physical examination. —Casey Gallagher, Health, 15 Aug. 2024

Rapamycin is great at soothing an overactive immune system; today, it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an immunosuppressant, and is commonly prescribed to people after an organ transplant. —Celia Ford, Vox, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + suppressant, after immunosuppression

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

immunosuppressant

1 of 2 noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sant -sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt 

: an agent (such as a drug) that suppresses the immune response

The experiments focused on the use of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant widely used in human kidney, heart-lung, bone marrow, pancreas and liver transplants.

—Science News

immunosuppressant

2 of 2 adjective

: immunosuppressive

immunosuppressant effects