Before taking Prograf (tacrolimus), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other macrolide medications (e.g., sirolimus, erythromycin); or if you have any other allergies.
Before using Prograf (tacrolimus), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain heart problems (e.g., QTc prolongation, slow heartbeat), mineral imbalances (e.g., high potassium, low magnesium), kidney disease, any recent/current infections, cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes.
Prograf (tacrolimus) may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen with a high protection factor and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.
Since Prograf (tacrolimus) can increase your risk of developing serious infections, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Avoid contact with people who have illnesses that may spread to others (e.g., flu, chickenpox).
Prograf (tacrolimus) may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
During pregnancy, Prograf (tacrolimus) should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Prograf (tacrolimus) may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Prograf (tacrolimus). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Take Prograf (tacrolimus) by mouth with or without food, usually every 12 hours or as directed by your doctor. If you have nausea or an upset stomach, you may take Prograf (tacrolimus) with food, although this may cause your body to absorb less of the drug. However, you must choose one way (with food or without food) and always take Prograf (tacrolimus) the same way so that your body always absorbs the same amount of drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Dosage of Prograf (tacrolimus) is based on your weight, medical condition, blood test results (e.g., Prograf (tacrolimus) trough levels), and response to therapy.
Do not increase your dose or take Prograf (tacrolimus) more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Also, do not stop taking Prograf (tacrolimus) without your doctor's approval.
Take Prograf (tacrolimus) regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the amount of medicine in your body at a constant level. Remember to take it at the same times each day.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Prograf (tacrolimus) unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Inform your doctor if your condition worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Warning section.
Shaking, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, or tingling of the hands/feet may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Prograf (tacrolimus) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Prograf (tacrolimus) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, seizures, dizziness, change in the amount of urine, tiredness/weakness, fast/pounding heartbeat, hearing problems (e.g., hearing loss, ringing in the ears), pain/redness/swelling of arms or legs, easy bruising/bleeding, muscle pain/cramp, yellowing skin/eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, swelling ankles/feet.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular heartbeat, vision changes, chest/jaw/left arm pain, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Prograf (tacrolimus) may cause your blood pressure to increase. You may be required to check your blood pressure periodically and/or take another medication to control your blood pressure.
Prograf (tacrolimus) may cause diabetes. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar: increased thirst/hunger, frequent urination.
A very serious allergic reaction to Prograf (tacrolimus) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Prograf side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Prograf (tacrolimus), take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also How to Use section.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Prograf (tacrolimus) should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: ziprasidone, cyclosporine.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Prograf (tacrolimus).
Other drugs besides Prograf (tacrolimus) and ziprasidone which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and clarithromycin, among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may minimize the risk of this effect.
Before using Prograf (tacrolimus), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cisapride, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove Prograf (tacrolimus) from your body (such as azole antifungals including itraconazole, calcium channel blockers including nifedipine, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, cimetidine, danazol, bromocriptine, nefazodone, protease inhibitors including nelfinavir, ritonavir, rifamycins including rifampin, rifabutin, St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine, phenytoin), drugs affecting the kidneys (e.g., amphotericin B, cisplatin, ganciclovir, aminoglycosides such as gentamicin), drugs that increase your potassium levels (e.g., potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone, potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril), metoclopramide, sirolimus, temsirolimus, proton pump inhibitors including omeprazole.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.