Prograf (Tacrolimus)

Description

Prograf is a medication that belongs to a family of drugs known as immunosuppressants. Its main component is tacrolimus.

Uses

Prograf is used to treat individuals who have undergone organ transplants. It is usually used to help individuals who’ve received a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. The transplanted organ is not an exact match to the other organs in the body. This causes the body to treat it as a foreign entity. This results in the stimulation of the immune system, the body’s natural defenses. The immune system attacks the transplanted organ, causing the body to reject the organ. Prograf acts as a suppressant to the body’s immune system. It inhibits its function. This means that the body is less likely to reject the new organ. This allows the organ to function normally.

Contact your doctor to find out if there are any other uses for this medication.

Dosage

Always follow the prescription that your doctor has provided you with. You should not take Prograf in quantities lower or higher than what you have been prescribed.

This medication should be taken orally.

For adults who have undergone heart transplants, the recommended dose is 0.075 mg per kg of body weight. This should be divided into two equal doses. There should be at least a twelve hour interval between each dose.

For adults who have undergone a liver transplant, the recommended dose is between 0.10 mg and 0.15 mg per kg of body weight. This should be divided between two equal doses. These doses should have an interval of at least twelve hours between them.

For adults who have undergone a kidney transplant, the recommended dose is between 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg per kg of body weight. This should be divided between two equal doses. There should be an interval of twelve hours between each dose.

In case of an overdose, contact your nearest medical emergency center immediately.

Side Effects

The most common adverse reactions that may be experienced when taking Prograf are:

 Discomfort in the abdominal region
 Unusual dreams
 Anxiety
 Disorientation
 Seizures
 Changes in bowel movements
 Fever
 Irritation of the throat
 Increase in urination
 Headache
 Irritation of the skin
 Decrease in appetite
 Fatigue
 Feelings of sadness
 Jerking of the muscles
 Nausea
 Pallid complexion
 Auditory or visual hallucinations
 Difficulty breathing
 Presence of a rash
 Enlarged lower limbs
 Unusual sensations
 Tremors in the hands
 Changes in sleeping patterns
 Unexpected presence of bleeding and bruising
 Fatigue
 Vomiting

If you experience any of these side effects, contact your physician immediately.

Contraindications

 Inform your physician if you are pregnant and have been prescribed this medication. Tell your doctor before you begin breastfeeding your child.

 Do not take this medication if you have experienced an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in Prograf.

 Do not take this medication if you have also taken cyclosporine within the same day.

 Prograf suppresses the immune system. It may increase the chance of you developing an infection or cancer.

 This medication may cause diabetes when taken after a kidney transplant.

 Inform your physician if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.