Discharge Medication Prescription for a heart transplant recipient following their transplant listing the 18 different types of medication required post transplant, prescribed by Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

After receiving a heart transplant, recipients require life long medication. Each person has different medication needs at different points of their post-operation journey. All heart transplant recipients are prescribed immunosuppressants. These are medicines which prevent recipients' bodies rejecting a donor heart.

Immunosuppressants can have significant side effects including increased risk of injections, weakened bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure and diabetes. To help with these side effects, heart transplant recipients receive a range of medicines, which they must take exactly as prescribed. They are carefully monitored after their operation and have regular check-ups to ensure how well their heart is working. Cardiac rehabilitation including exercise, advice, and support are also available.

Known as Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2018, after being given the designation by Queen Elizabeth II, Papworth Hospital is one of six centres in the United Kingdom where heart transplants are carried out.