Immunostimulants are substances that stimulate the immune system to fight infections and diseases. They can be specific, providing immunity to particular antigens through vaccines, or non-specific by generally enhancing immune responses through substances like immunoglobulins, thalidomide, interferons, or immunocynin. Immunostimulants are useful for treating infections, cancers, and immunodeficiencies. In contrast, immunosuppressants are drugs that inhibit immune responses and are used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat autoimmune disorders. Common side effects of immunosuppressants include infection, headaches, stomach upset, and weight gain.

1. By:- Ravikant Sir

2.  They also known as Immunomodulators.
 They are drugs that used to increase immune response.
Immunostimulants, also known as immunostimulators,
they are substances that stimulate the immune system
Immunostimulants are substance that increase the ability of
immune system to fight against disease and infection.

3. Immunostimulants are useful in :-
 Infections
Cancers
Immunodeficiency
To prevent infections.

4. Specific Immunostimulants Non Specific Immunostimulants
Provide Antigen specific
immunity. Act as antigen and
stimulate antibody
production
EXAMPLE :-
Vaccines
They act against antigen or to enhance
immune response by acting on T
lymphocytes.
EXAMPLE :-
Immunoglobulins
Thalidomide
Interferones or cytokines
Immunocynin

5.  Vaccine is a biological preparation that improves
immunity to a particular disease.
 Vaccine contain certain agents which stimulates immune
system to recognize the foreign agents.
 Vaccines are suspensions of dead microorganisms
(inactivated) or attenuated but live or toxin of
microorganism.
Ex: BCG vaccine for tuberculosis.

6.  They are human gamma globulins or antibodies like
natural immunoglobulins.
Example
o Tetanus Ig
o Antidiptheria Ig
o Hepatitis Ig

7.  These are drugs that enhance cell mediated immunity by
acting on T lymphocytes.
 They are teretogenic drugs so should be avoided in
pregnancy.
USES :-
o Multiple myeloma
o Lupus erythematosus

8.  They are cytokines. They are natural substance that
helps the body's immune system fight infection and
other diseases, such as cancer.
 Interferons are made in the body by T helper or CD4
cells.
USES :-
o Melanoma, Kaposi sarcoma, leukemia, lymphomas.
o Viral infections.

9. Headache, Back/joint pain.
Nausea, Chills, Fatigue.
Fever., Vomiting.
Constipation.

11. Immunosuppressants are drugs that inhibit immunity.
They suppress cell mediated or antibody mediated immune
response or both.
 They are mainly used in Autoimmune disease and to prevent
organ transplant/graft rejection.

12. Organ transplant.
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.
Lupus.
Multiple sclerosis.
Psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis.

13. 1. T-Cell Inhibitors- cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus
2. Cytotoxic drugs :- Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Chlrambucil
3. Corticosteroids :- Methyl prednisone, Hydrocortisone,
4. Immunosuppressant antibodies :- muronomab, infliximab

14.  Acne, Diabetes (glucocorticoids)
 Fatigue, Hair loss or growth.
 Headaches
 Trouble concentrating or remembering.
 High blood pressure
 Mouth sores.
 Thinning bones (osteoporosis)
 Weight gain. (glucocorticoids)
 Stomach upset and nausea and
vomiting
 Blood infections like sepsis.
 Fungal infections like thrush and skin
fungus.
 Skin infections like cellulitis.
 Respiratory infections,
including colds, flu and pneumonia.

15. This is not the END……. 
• Write Nursing responsibility as I discussed in
class………