General information

Prograf belongs to the class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening your body's defense system (immune system) to help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own. This medication is used with other medications to prevent rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. Prograf may also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis when the usual therapies have failed to work. It works by lowering the activity of white blood cells in the body (the cells that attack substances foreign to the body).

Directions

Take Prograf exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 12 hours. For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended adult dose is 3 mg, taken once a day. The recommended initial dosage after a kidney transplant is 0.05 mg per kg twice a day when used in combination with azathioprine and 0.1 mg per kg twice a day when used in combination with mycophenolate. The recommended initial dosage after a liver transplant in adults is 0.05 mg to 0.075 mg per kg twice a day, started at least six hours after the transplant surgery. The recommended initial dosage after a heart transplant is 0.0375 mg per kg twice a day, started at least six hours after the transplant surgery.

Precautions

Before taking Prograf you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, kidney disease, kidney failure, heart problems, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, lymphoma, skin cancer, or any other type of cancer, anemia, electrolyte problems, low blood phosphate or magnesium, any allergies. This drug may increase your potassium levels. Do not have immunizations or vaccinations. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication.

Contraindications

Do not take Prograf if you are allergic to tacrolimus or any ingredients of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have constipation, back pain, burning discomfort with urination, changes in mood or emotions, diarrhea, decreased or increased urine volumes, diabetes, difficulty sleeping, fever, headache, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, trembling, weakness, confusion, fainting, pale stool, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, chest pain, high fever, clumsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: seizure medicines (oxcarbazepine, topiramate, phenytoin, carbamazepine), HIV/AIDS medicines (ritonavir, indinavir, atazanavir, delavirdine), antibiotics (rifampin, telithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin), antifungal medications (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole), calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, diltiazem, felodipine), diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide), sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, metoclopramide. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

The overdose symptoms are unknown. If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.