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Prograf (injection)

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Generic Name: Tacrolimus
Product Name: Prograf (injection)

Indication

Prograf (tacrolimus) is a medication often used in people who have had a kidney, liver, heart or lung transplanted from someone else because their own was not functioning properly. Prograf is referred to as an ‘immunosuppressant’ medication because it helps stop the immune system from recognising a transplanted organ as foreign. By doing this Prograf therefore prevents the transplanted organ from being attacked by the immune system.

Action

Tacrolimus is produced naturally by a bacterium. In the human body, it is taken up by T-cells (the controlling cells of the immune system), where it interrupts the ability of the T-cells to turn on the rest of the immune system. This may not sound like a particularly powerful effect, but the immune system is so carefully controlled by T-cells that it actually affects the entire body. In this way, by preventing the body from attacking organs that have been transplanted, tacrolimus protects the organs.

Dose advice

Tacrolimus is a medication with a complicated dosage. Most drugs have a simple range in which the dose is too high (a toxic dose), too low (the drug simply doesn’t work), or in between (the appropriate dose). The amount of tacrolimus taken, however, doesn’t always fit exactly with the amount in the body. As a result, doctors are quite careful in ways that aren’t usually necessary for other medications. It is recommended that the amount of tacrolimus in your blood be directly checked by means of a blood test after a few days on the medication, and at certain intervals afterwards. Because of these results, your dose might change. This is important – it keeps side effects to a minimum and makes sure you are getting the most out of the medication.

Schedule

Schedule 4, Pregnancy Category C

Common side effects

All medications have side effects, wanted or unwanted. Tacrolimus is no different. People, however, are all different. Some people suffer no side effects, and others experience some of them. Even if a side effect is not listed here, you should still contact your doctor if you have any symptoms you’re at all concerned about. Below is a list of common side effects.

Nervous System:


Gastrointestinal:

Cardiovascular:

Urogenital:

Metabolic and Nutritional:

  • hyperkalaemia
  • hypokalaemia
  • hyperglycaemia
  • post transplant diabetes
  • hypomagnesaemia

Haematologic and Lymphatic:

  • anaemia
  • leukocytosis
  • thrombocytopenia

Miscellaneous:

Respiratory System:


Skin and Appendages:

Uncommon side effects

There are many more uncommon side effects of tacrolimus. Please talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

References

  1. Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd. Australian Medicines Handbook 2005. Adelaide: AMH Pty Ltd; 2005
  2. Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd. PROGRAF 0.5mg,1mg,5mg Capsules & 5mg/mL Concentrated Injection Product Information, 2001
  3. MIMS Online [online]. 2000 [cited 2007 March 19]. Available from: URL: http://mims.hcn.net.au.ezproxy.library.uwa.edu.au/ifmx-nsapi/mims-data/?MIval=2MIMS_ssearch
  4. Snell G, Westall G. Immunosupression for Lung Transplantation; evidence to date. Drugs 2007; 67(11):1531-1539.

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For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 14 June, 2007
Modified On: 19 March, 2008
Reviewed On: 22 January, 2008


Created by: myVMC