Details

Tacrolimus is used with other medications to prevent rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by weakening your body's defence system (immune system) to help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own. This medication may also be used to treat a certain type of bowel condition (fistulising Crohn's disease) in patients who cannot take or have not been successfully treated by the usual treatment.

Typical Uses

Tacrolimus is used after transplantation of organs such as heart, liver, kidney or other organs so that the body does not reject the new organ. It is also used for certain skin diseases.

Side Effects

Common tacrolimus side effects may include blurred vision or other vision changes burning, numbness, or tingling changes in the appearance or size of a mole chest pain confusion decreased coordination fainting fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat fever, chills, or persistent sore throat memory problems mental or mood changes (e.g., agitation, anxiety, depression) muscle cramps, pain, or weakness night sweats one-sided weakness red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin seizures severe or persistent dizziness, light-headedness, or headache shortness of breath sluggishness swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or legs swollen lymph nodes symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., increased hunger, thirst, or urination confusion loss of appetite unusual drowsiness) symptoms of kidney or urinary problems (e.g., change in the amount of urine produced difficult or painful urination dark or bloody urine pain in the groin, side, or lower back) tremor trouble speaking unusual bruising or bleeding unusual growths or lumps unusual or persistent weakness or tiredness unusually pale skin yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Drug Interactions

• Tacrolimus+aspirin- Aspirin may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as tacrolimus may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Tacrolimus+adefovir- Adefovir may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as tacrolimus may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Tacrolimus+bromfenac- Bromfenac may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as tacrolimus may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Tacrolimus+droperidol- Using droperidol together with tacrolimus can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

Mechanism of action

Tacrolimus belongs to a category of drugs called as immunosuppressant. It prevents the body’s immune system from attacking the newly transplanted organ such as liver, heart, or kidney. This also helps in resolution of skin diseases due to altered immune function.

Pregnancy Category : C