Drug info

Tacrolimus (Oral)

Andrey Nailor, M.D.Published 3 January 20053 min read

Key points

Keeps your body from rejecting an organ transplant, such as a kidney or liver.
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tacrolimus.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Tacrolimus (By Mouth)

Tacrolimus (ta-KROE-li-mus)

Keeps your body from rejecting an organ transplant, such as a kidney or liver.

Prograf
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tacrolimus.

Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way each time. Take the medicine at evenly spaced intervals (such as exactly every 12 hours if you are taking the medicine twice daily).

If a dose is missed::

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking cyclosporine (Neoralreg;, Sandimmunereg;), St. John's wort, antibiotics, cancer medicines, diuretics or "water pills" (such as Aldactazidereg;, Aldactonereg;, Dyazidereg;, Maxzidereg;, Midamorreg;, Modureticreg;), heart or blood pressure medicine (such as verapamil, Adalatreg;, Calanreg;, Cardizemreg;, Lotrelreg;, Plendilreg;, Procardiareg;, Tiazacreg;), or medicine for seizures (such as Dilantinreg;, Luminalreg;, Tegretolreg;). There are many other medicines that may interact with tacrolimus. Tell your doctor about ALL other medicines you are using.
Talk to your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you are receiving tacrolimus. Vaccines may not work as well while you are using this medicine.
Do not drink alcohol, eat grapefruit, or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.

Written and revised by

Andrey Nailor, 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.