Tacrolimus
Key points
- Tacrolimus increases your risk of getting infections.
- Tacrolimus is used to prevent rejection of liver transplants.
- Tacrolimus comes as a capsule to take by mouth and in an injectable form.
- What special dietary instructions should I follow?
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.
Why is this medication 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.
How should this medicine be used?
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.
What special precautions should I follow?
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.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
