Why it is Prescribed
Tacrolimus is used to prevent rejection of liver transplants. Sometimes it is used to prevent rejection of other types of transplants.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Important Warning
Tacrolimus increases your risk of getting infections. Avoid people with contagious diseases, such as the flu and colds. Keep cuts and scratches clean. Use good personal hygiene, especially for your mouth, teeth, skin, hair, and hands. Tacrolimus also may increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
How it Works
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Why it is Prescribed
Tacrolimus is used to prevent rejection of liver transplants. Sometimes it is used to prevent rejection of other types of transplants.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Important Warning
Tacrolimus increases your risk of getting infections. Avoid people with contagious diseases, such as the flu and colds. Keep cuts and scratches clean. Use good personal hygiene, especially for your mouth, teeth, skin, hair, and hands. Tacrolimus also may increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
How it Works
Tacrolimus comes as a capsule to take by mouth and in an injectable form. It usually is taken twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tacrolimus exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take tacrolimus even if you feel well. Do not stop taking tacrolimus without talking to your doctor. You will probably take tacrolimus for a long time.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Precautions
Before taking tacrolimus,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tacrolimus or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), bromocriptine (Parlodel), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cimetidine (Tagamet), cisapride (Propulsid), clarithromycin (Biaxin), clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), danazol (Danocrine), diltiazem (Cardizem), erythromycin (E-Mycin), fluconazole (Diflucan), ganciclovir (Cytovene), HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), methylprednisolone (Medrol), metoclopramide (Reglan), nefazodone (Serzone), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), omeprazole (Prilosec), oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene-containing drugs (Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide), troleandomycin (Tao), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), and vitamins. Do not take antacids within 2 hours of taking tacrolimus.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort and products containing St. John's Wort.
tell your doctor if you have or have ...
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Possible Side Effects
Tacrolimus may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
diarrhea
upset stomach
vomiting
stomach pain
loss of appetite
insomnia
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Special Dietary Concerns
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking tacrolimus.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
