Definition
An immunosuppressor is a medication or treatment that lowers the body's ability to reject a transplanted organ or fight off diseases. It works by suppressing the activity of the immune system, preventing it from attacking foreign substances or even itself. Think of it as hitting the brakes on your body's defenses. It is often used after organ transplants to prevent rejection. The effect is that the body is less likely to attack the new organ, but also less able to fight infections. This can be a delicate balancing act between suppressing the immune system enough to prevent rejection but not so much as to increase the risk of infection.