What type of medication is used to reduce the chance of graft rejection in transplant patients?

Immunosuppressants are specifically designed to inhibit the activity of the immune system, which is essential in preventing the body from rejecting transplanted organs or tissues. When a transplant occurs, the recipient's immune system may recognize the donor tissue as foreign and mount an attack against it. By using immunosuppressants, clinicians can dampen this immune response, thereby increasing the likelihood that the transplant will be accepted and function properly.

In contrast, antibiotics are used to treat infections and do not play a role in preventing graft rejection. Analgesics are pain-relievers that would help manage pain but have no effect on the immune response related to transplants. Corticosteroids can be used as immunosuppressants in some cases, but they are typically a part of a broader immunosuppressive regimen rather than standing alone as the primary type of medication for this purpose. Therefore, immunosuppressants are the most direct choice for preventing graft rejection in transplant patients.