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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? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- 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? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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).
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- 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 |
|
|
- 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? |
|
|
- Store at room
temperature.
|
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| General statements |
|
|
- 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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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Alternative Medicine
