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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ta
KROE li
mus) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Prograf®; Protopic®
Topical |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Immunosuppressant Agent |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- You will have an increased risk of getting infections. Avoid crowds
and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you are
breast-feeding.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- Oral:
- This medicine is used to prevent your body's rejection of a solid
organ transplant such as liver, kidney, heart, lung, or small bowel. It is also
used with other transplants such as a bone marrow transplant.
- It can treat psoriasis and other diseases of the immune system.
- Skin:
- The ointment is used to treat moderately to severely inflamed skin
(atopic dermatitis). Usually the cause of the disease is unknown. It is for
adults and children 2 years and older. You may see improvement in a couple of
weeks.
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| How does it work? |
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- Tacrolimus helps the body accept a new organ more easily. It decreases
the body's response to diseases affecting the immune
system.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Oral:
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have
feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Tube feeding should be given 2 hours
before and after medicine is given. Flush the feeding tube before and after
medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, or colestipol with this
medicine.
- Skin:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- Wash hands before using. Make sure skin is dry. Apply a thin layer to
all affected skin.
- Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area
unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
- Do not bath, shower, or swim right after applying. Medicine could wash
off.
- Wash hands after using if hands are not part of
treatment.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Oral:
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- Skin:
- Apply a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular
schedule.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- Oral:
- Check all medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not
mix well with other medicines.
- Make sure to tell all healthcare providers you are taking this
medicine.
- The risk of cancer may be higher after taking this medicine.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Vaccinations may be less effective. Avoid the use of live vaccines.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure.
This includes cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Skin:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- If you are receiving any form of light therapy tell healthcare
provider.
- You can burn. Avoid lots of sun and sunlamps/tanning beds. Wear
protective clothing.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make skin feel
red and hot.
- All forms:
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Oral:
- Shakiness.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- High blood pressure.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Worsening of kidney function.
- Infection.
- Skin:
- Stinging, burning, redness, or itching of the skin. Most common during
the first few days of use.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Skin infection.
- Fever.
- Cough (in
children).
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Oral:
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare provider.
- Skin:
- Change in skin condition. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills, sore throat, sore mouth, pain with urination, or
coughing up sputum.
- If side effects are severe.
- Rash.
- If skin condition worsens or does not
improve.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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