Tacrolimus

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent your body's rejection of a solid organ transplant, such as liver, kidney, heart, lung, and small bowel. It is also used with other transplants, such as bone marrow transplant.
• It can treat psoriasis and other diseases of the immune system.

How does it work?

• Tacrolimus helps the body accept a new organ more easily. It decreases the body's response to diseases affecting the immune system.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• A liquid is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Tube feeding should be held a couple of hours before and after medicine is given. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
• Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, or colestipol with this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check all medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Make sure to tell all healthcare providers you are on this medicine.
• Avoid alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can affect cyclosporine in the body.
• The risk of cancer is higher after taking this medicine.
• Use caution with high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not change brand of cyclosporine. Check to make sure you have the same one each time.
• Vaccinations may be less effective. Avoid the use of live vaccines.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure. This includes cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Shakiness.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• High blood pressure.
• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Worsening of kidney function.
• Risk of infection.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Fever and/or chills, sore throat, sore mouth, pain with urination, or coughing up sputum.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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