What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Diabetes
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure
-Immune system problems
-Infection
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Recent or upcoming vaccine
-An unusual or allergic reaction to tacrolimus, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Cidofovir
-Cisapride
-Cyclosporine
-Dronedarone
-Fluconazole
-Grapefruit juice
-Ketoconazole
-Levoketoconazole
-Live virus vaccines
-Mifepristone
-Pimozide
-Saquinavir
-Thioridazine
-Ziprasidone
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Cannabidiol
-Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, gentamicin, neomycin, rifabutin, rifampin
-Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
-Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, such as diltiazem, enalapril, losartan
-Certain medications for fungal infections, such as amphotericin B, caspofungin, itraconazole, voriconazole
-Cisplatin
-Cyclosporine
-Diuretics
-Ganciclovir
-Letermovir
-Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes, such as amiodarone
-Sirolimus
-St. John's wort
This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. You will need blood work done while you are taking this medication. Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. It is important not to miss any appointments.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects. A reliable form of contraception is recommended before starting and while taking this medication. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception.
Males who take this medication must use a condom during sex. Tell your care team right away if your partner becomes pregnant while you are taking this medication.
Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medication.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.
Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
If you get this medicine for an organ transplant, it should be started in the hospital, a clinic, or in a healthcare treatment setting.
Taking this medicine can increase the risk of getting cancer.
This medicine can lower your body’s ability to fight infections. You may get more infections while taking this medicine. Any infection you get could become serious and even deadly.
This medicine should only be given by a healthcare provider who has experience in the use of transplant drugs.