Prograf (tacrolimus) is prescribed together with other medications to help prevent organ rejection after a kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant.
Prograf works to prevent transplant rejection by suppressing the activity of the cells in the immune system that would normally attack the transplanted tissue. Tacrolimus acts on white blood cells, blocking the action of a substance called calcineurin that is found in white blood cells (T-lymphocytes). This action prevents the T-lymphocytes from producing substances called lymphokines, which are protein mediators that direct the immune system response by signaling between cells.
Caution
You should not receive any live vaccines while being treated with tacrolimus.
Avoid exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and restrict the time spent either in natural sunlight or tanning
machines. When outdoors in sunlight, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice during treatment with Prograf.
Dosage
Your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to take the prescribed dose.
- Do not change or stop taking the dose without talking to the prescribing healthcare provider.
- Prograf can be taken with or without food, but it must be taken consistently the same way.
- Prograf should be taken at the same time each day, and the doses must be at least 12 hours apart.
- An accidental overdose of Prograf can have serious consequences. If you suspect this may have occurred, immediately call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Do not open or crush Prograf capsules.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
The most common side effects of Prograf after a kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant are:
- infections in general, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection tremors
- constipation or diarrhea
- headache
- stomach pain
- difficulty falling asleep and sleeping
- nausea
- fever
- numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- bronchitis
- swelling of the hands, legs, ankles, or feet
- weakness
- pain.
If these symptoms persist or worsen, consult with the prescribing doctor or another healthcare provider.
Doctors usually perform regular laboratory tests and physical checkups. The most common findings are blood tests showing low levels of magnesium or phosphate, high levels of fat or potassium, a low red blood cell count (anemia) or low white blood cell count, high blood sugar levels (diabetes), or fluid around the heart.
Since Progaf affects the immune system, it can lower the ability of the immune system to fight infections. Serious infections can occur, even leading to death. Call a healthcare provider right away or go directly to an emergency room if any of the following symptoms of an infection are persistent:
- fever
- sweats or chills
- cough or flu-like symptoms
- muscle aches
- warm, red, or painful areas on the skin.
Tacrolimus is used to prevent rejection of organ transplants, primarily of the kidney, liver, lungs or heart. It is used in combination with other immunosuppressant medicines, such as corticosteroids.
When organ transplants are done, the donor cells are matched as closely as possible to the recipient’s but are not identical. As a result, the immune system will recognize the implanted tissue as foreign and try to attack the transplanted organ. This can result in the transplant being rejected.