Tacrolimus

Uses	Immunosuppressant
Therapy	Immunosuppressant
Side Effects	Increased Blood Sugar, Sleeplessness, Headache, Nausea, Diarrhoea

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Molecule Description

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant medicine that helps prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ, such as a kidney, liver, or heart. It works by weakening specific parts of the immune system so it does not attack the new organ. Because the immune system is suppressed, regular monitoring of blood levels, kidney function, blood pressure, and signs of infection is important while using this medicine. You must take Tacrolimus exactly as prescribed and at the same time every day, as even small changes in dose or timing can affect how well it protects the transplanted organ. Avoid grapefruit products, stay alert for signs of infection, and never stop the medicine without your doctor’s advice.

Uses

This medicine is used to prevent organ rejection in certain patients following liver, kidney or heart transplant.

Contraindications

When should one not use Tacrolimus

If you are allergic to Tacrolimus
If you are allergic to Sirolimus or any Macrolide-antibiotic (e.g. Erythromycin, Clarithromycin)

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Loose motion, nausea
Increased blood sugar, diabetes mellitus, increased potassium in the blood
Sleeping difficulties
Headache
Increase in blood pressure
Kidney problems
Reduction in blood cell counts (platelets, red or white blood cells), increase in white blood cell counts, changes in red blood cell counts
Anxiety symptoms, confusion and disorientation, depression, mood changes, hallucination, mental disorders, nightmare
Blindness, deafness (rare)
Breathlessness (rare)
Fits, disturbances in consciousness, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness, impaired writing ability
Blurred vision
Ringing sound in your ears
Faster heartbeat
Small bleedings from the skin due to blood clots (rare)
Increased muscle stiffness (rare)

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

There is no sufficient data to prove this medicine’s safety in human pregnancy. Do not use this medicine in pregnancy without a physician’s advice.

Breast Feeding

This medicine passes into breast milk. This may harm a nursing baby, it is not recommended to use during breastfeeding.

Driving

This medicine may cause drowsiness. Do not drive unless you feel well.

Alcohol

Too much intake of alcohol while taking this medicine has to be avoided as it can lead to excessive drowsiness.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

If you have liver problems
If you have stomach pain with chills, fever, nausea or vomiting
If you have heart disease
Stopping your treatment with Tacrolimus may increase the chances of rejection of your transplanted organ
Do not stop your medication without your doctor’s permission

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant. In organ transplant patients, it works by suppressing your body’s immune response, which helps your body to accept the new organ.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Antifungal medicines like Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Clotrimazole and Isavuconazole and antibiotics like Erythromycin, Clarithromycin and Rifampicin
Medicines used in HIV/ AIDS (e.g. Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Saquinavir)
Nilotinib and Imatinib (used to treat certain cancers)
Mycophenolic acid which is used to suppress the immune system to prevent organ transplant rejection
Medicines for stomach ulcer and acid reflux (e.g. Omeprazole, Lansoprazole or Cimetidine)
Medicines used to treat nausea and vomiting (e.g. Metoclopramide)
Ibuprofen (used to treat fever, pain), Amphotericin B (used to treat bacterial infections) or antivirals (used to treat viral infections e.g. Aciclovir)

Interactions with food items

This medicine has food interactions with grapefruit juice. Avoid grapefruit (also as juice) while on treatment with Tacrolimus, since it can affect its levels in the blood and effectiveness.

Dosage

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you suspect overdose. Overdose may be associated with nausea, tremors, elevated liver enzyme levels and kidney damage.

Missed a Dose

If you missed any dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almsot time for your next dose, skip the missed dose & do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Tacrolimus, tell about the list of medications you are using. Discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine.

Take this medicine with or without food. Take this medicine as your doctor prescribed you.

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