Tacrolimus

What is Tacrolimus for?

Tacrolimus works by suppressing the immune system. It is used to prevent organ rejection in organ transplants, as well as prevent graft-versus-host disease (a condition where the body's immune system sees the donor tissues as foreign and causes an inflammation reaction) in certain blood cell transplant.

It can also be used to treat auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus nephritis.

How should I take or use Tacrolimus?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Take this medication at the same time each day so as to keep the amount of medicine in your body at a steady level.
• This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach – either 1 hours before food, or 2 hours after food. This is because food can reduce the absorption of this medication into the body.
• However, you may take it after food if you experience persistent gastric side effects. Take Tacrolimus consistently either with or without food.
• For capsules: Swallow the capsule whole, do not crush or chew.
• For suspension: Shake the suspension before taking.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Tacrolimus?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. 

However, if it is close to the time of your next scheduled dose, skip this missed dose entirely and resume at the next dose at the usual time.

Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using Tacrolimus?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are allergic to certains antibiotics (e.g. Erythromycin, Clarithromycin) that belong to the subgroup of macrolide antibiotics
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies e.g. St John’s Wort.
• You have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver problems.
• You have an condition known as “QT prolongation”, where there is abnormal heart beating rhythm
• You are planning to receive any vaccines and you must avoid any live vaccinations.

Tacrolimus comes in various brands and formulations. Do not switch brands unless instructed by your doctor. This is because different brands may affect your body differently.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use Tacrolimus?

Avoid taking grapefruit and pomelo when you are taking this medicine as these fruits may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking other medications as they may interact with Tacrolimus.

What are some common side effects of Tacrolimus?

• Increased blood sugar
  • Your doctor may perform routine blood tests to monitor your blood sugar
  • If advised by your doctor, check your blood sugar using a home testing kit regularly and bring the readings to your doctor
  • Seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms: increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision and/ or tiredness
• Increased potassium and/or reduced magnesium in your blood
  • Your doctor will perform routine blood tests to monitor the potassium and magnesium levels in your blood
  • Seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms: chest pain, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting
• Increased blood pressure
  • Your doctor will measure your blood pressure at each visit
  • (Where applicable) Check your blood pressure regularly and bring the readings to your doctor
• Tremors, headache, tingling/ numbness in fingers, insomnia
• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn and abdominal pain
  • Ensure that you stay hydrated when you have diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • If vomitting occurs within 30 minstures of taking the medication, repeat the dose. 
• Infections
  • Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms like prolonged diarrhoea, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers
• Kidney problems
  • Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms like swelling of hands and feet, inability to pass urine
• Hair loss
• Acne (pimples)

What are some rare but serious side effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

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Some of other rare but serious side effects include:

• Tear in your abdominal wall (perforation): Symptoms include pain or swelling in abdominal area, may or may not be accompanied with chills, fever, nausea or vomiting.
• Pure red cell aplasia (very severe reduction in red blood cell counts): Symptoms include tiredness, abnormal paleness of the skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, chest pain and cold hands and feet
• Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (viral infection of cells in the brain): Symptoms include memory loss, trouble thinking, difficulty walking or loss of vision
• Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) (a condition that causes swelling in the some parts of the brain): Symptoms include headache, confusion, mood changes, seizures, and visual disturbances
• Liver problem: Symptoms include dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin
• QT prolongation or Torsade de Pointes (heart rhythm disturbances): Symptoms include heart palpitations, rapid pulse, dizziness, cold sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure
• Cancer (blood or predominantly skin cancers) – limit or avoid sun and ultraviolet light exposure; use appropriate sunblock or protect your skin from the sun to reduce risk

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store Tacrolimus?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

Please noted that this medication may have a shorter expiry date after opening the aluminium wrapping. Check the drug label or medication packaging for more details. For suspension, do not use the suspension after the expiry stated on the bottle.

How do I throw away Tacrolimus safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.