Transplant Milestone: Liver Recipient No Longer Needs Prograf

Eric Lindquester took daily anti-rejection medications for 14 years. But thanks to a study at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, those days are over.

Born with biliary atresia, a rare and life-threatening liver disease, Eric received a liver transplant in 1990. He was only 5 months old. Today, Eric is an honor student and Eagle Scout, in his freshman year of college.

Eric was one of the first patients to take the drug now known as Prograf, commonly prescribed as an immunosuppressant for transplant recipients. When he learned about the trial study at Children’s Hospital, he jumped at the chance to wean himself off his anti-rejection medications. The weaning process took two years, but Eric has been Prograf-free for five years – and he’s doing great!

Astellas' Transplant Experience

Astellas, the manufacturer of Prograf, has created a Web site especially for kidney, heart and liver transplant patients. This Transplant Experience Web site has specialized pages for each type of patient offering advice on healthy living before and after transplantation, as well as a number of support resources.

According to the Web site, “Transplant Experience is a program that can help you get the most out of each day and help you be ready for what’s ahead.” If you are a kidney, heart or liver transplant patient, visit Transplant Experience and find tips to live a healthier, more active life throughout your transplant journey.