Prograf

Generic name: Tacrolimus (oral/injection)
Drug class: Calcineurin inhibitors

Usage of Prograf

Prograf weakens your body's immune system, to help keep it from "rejecting" a transplanted organ such as a kidney. Organ rejection happens when the immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it.

Prograf is a prescription medicine and is used together with other medicines to prevent your body from rejecting a heart, liver, lung, or kidney transplant.

Prograf is supplied as oral capsules, granules for oral suspension, and as an injection for intravenous use.

Prograf capsules and oral granules are immediate-release medicines and they are not the same as tacrolimus extended-release tablets or tacrolimus extended-release capsules. Your healthcare provider should decide what medicine is right for you.

Prograf side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Prograf: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, cough, sweating, painful skin sores, skin warmth or redness, or muscle aches.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

general ill feeling, pain or swelling near your transplanted organ;

headaches, vision changes, pounding in your neck or ears;

confusion, behavior changes;

tremors, a seizure;

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

chest pain, cough, trouble breathing (even while lying down);

high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, fruity breath odor, nausea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, confusion;

high potassium level - nausea, weakness, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;

kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;

low magnesium or phosphate - bone pain, jerky muscle movements, muscle weakness or limp feeling, slow reflexes; or

low blood cell counts - fever, flu symptoms, tiredness, pale skin, cold hands and feet.

Common Prograf side effects may include:

low blood cell counts, infections;

fever;

nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;

weakness, pain;

fluid around your heart;

tremors;

headache;

cough, breathing problems;

high blood sugar, high potassium levels, high cholesterol or triglycerides levels;

low levels of magnesium or phosphate;

numbness or tingling in your hands and feet;

sleep problems (insomnia); or

swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Prograf

You should not use Prograf if you are allergic to tacrolimus or hydrogenated castor oil, or if you have used cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf) within the past 24 hours.

Using Prograf may increase your risk of developing serious infections or certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma or skin cancer. Your risk may be higher if you are treated over long periods of time with drugs that weaken the immune system. Ask your doctor about this risk and about symptoms to watch for.

Some people taking Prograf after a kidney transplant have developed diabetes. This effect has been seen most commonly in people who are Hispanic or African-American.

To make sure Prograf is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have::

problems with your liver, kidney, or heart that are not related to your transplant;

long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or

if you are scheduled to receive a vaccine;

Tell your doctor if you plan to get pregnant. Tacrolimus may harm an unborn baby, and can worsen conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure in the mother. Use effective birth control before and during treatment with Prograf.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of tacrolimus on the baby.

If you are a man, use birth control before and during treatment with Prograf if your sex partner is able to get pregnant.

Pregnancy may be less likely to occur while the mother or the father is using this medicine. Both men and women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Prograf

Take Prograf exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may receive an injection of Prograf shortly after your transplant. The injection is given until you are ready to take the pill form of tacrolimus.

Take Prograf at the same time each day, with a full glass of water.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Mix Prograf oral granules with water right before you take them. Do not save this mixture for later use. Do not get the powder or mixture on your skin or in your eyes. If this happens, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water.

You may take Prograf with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. All forms of tacrolimus are not equivalent and may not have the same dose or schedule. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

You will need frequent medical tests, and your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Prograf may increase your risk of developing a serious infection, lymphoma, or other cancers. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, flu symptoms, cough, sweating, painful skin sores, skin warmth or redness, or muscle aches.

You will need regular medical tests to be sure Prograf is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any follow up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections.

Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a serious brain infection, such as a change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking, or decreased vision. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Prograf can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before using this medicine, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.

What other drugs will affect Prograf

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tacrolimus can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with tacrolimus, especially:

amiodarone;

cisplatin;

cyclosporine;

sirolimus;

antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medicines; or

heart or blood pressure medication, such as a diuretic or "water pill."

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with tacrolimus. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.