Immunosuppressants are used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and treat autoimmune diseases by suppressing the immune system. They work through various mechanisms such as inhibiting cytokine production, disrupting lymphocyte proliferation, or blocking T-cell surface molecules. Common immunosuppressants include corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, antiproliferatives like azathioprine and mycophenolate, mTOR inhibitors like sirolimus, and antibodies against T-cells. While effective at preventing rejection, immunosuppressants can cause adverse effects like nephrotoxicity, infections, hypertension, and diabetes due to their impairment of the immune system.