[Drug utilization in renal transplant patients: medication practices and representations]

Qualitative research approach, descriptive and exploratory with objective of to know the practices and representations of medication on the use of drugs by people transplanted kidney. 18 people participated in the Dourados (MS), through semistructured interview. The theoretical contributions of medication practices were Peter Conrad and representation of Stuart Hall. The definition of the categories of theoretical analysis was Michel Foucault. Respondents had a mean age of 53.5 years, 13 males and 5 females, with median time to transplant eight years. The medications predominantly used were immunosuppresssive. We developed three categories of analysis: the drug as part of everyday life, the central role of the drug and correlation with rejection, and medicine and the autonomy of the transplanted kidney. The drugs are part of everyday life and the representations of autonomy and quality enhance your daily use.