Which medication is known to function as an immunosuppressant?

Cyclosporine is recognized as an immunosuppressant primarily due to its mechanism of action that inhibits the activity of T-lymphocytes. It is commonly used in transplant patients to prevent organ rejection and for certain autoimmune disorders because it effectively reduces the strength of the immune system. By specifically targeting the activation of T-cells, cyclosporine helps to maintain the body's immune response at a reduced level, making it a critical medication in situations where suppressing the immune response is essential for patient safety.

In contrast, while prednisone and cyclophosphamide also have immunosuppressive properties, they may not be as selective as cyclosporine in their action. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, broadly affects the immune response and reduces inflammation, but it works through different pathways that impact various immune cells. Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy agent that can suppress immune function but is primarily used for its cancer-fighting properties, which might also result in immunosuppression as a side effect. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain and inflammation but does not suppress the immune system in the same way that immunosuppressants do. This differentiation highlights why cy