Prograf

INDICATIONS

Prograf is used for preventing organ rejection in patients following liver, kidney, or heart transplant. It may be used along with other medicines. Prograf is an immunosuppressant. It blocks the action of certain blood cells (eg, T lymphocytes) that can cause the body to reject the transplanted organ.

INSTRUCTIONS 

Use Prograf as directed by your doctor.

• Do not take Prograf in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• Prograf is usually taken every 12 hours. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
• Prograf can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis.
• Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested.
• Continue to use Prograf even if you feel well. Do not miss any dose. 
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the risk of side effects from Prograf. Talk to your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while taking Prograf.
• If you miss a dose of Prograf, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Prograf.

STORAGE

Store Prograf at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Prograf out of the reach of children.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Tacrolimus.

Do NOT use Prograf if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Prograf, including castor oil
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, ibutilide, a potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, spironolactone), sirolimus, terfenadine, or ziprasidone
• you have taken cyclosporine with the last 24 hours.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Prograf. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart, kidney, or liver problems; diabetes; or high potassium levels in your blood.

Some medicines may interact with Prograf. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Cyclosporine or other medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ganciclovir, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], vancomycin) or the liver (eg, acetaminophen, methotrexate, ketoconazole, isoniazid, certain medicines for HIV infection) because the risk of kidney or liver side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney or liver
• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, seizures, stomach problems), multivitamin products, herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort), astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, ibutilide, sirolimus, terfenadine, and ziprasidone may interact with Prograf, increasing the risk of side effects.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Prograf may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Prograf may cause drowsiness and dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Prograf with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not change your dose of Prograf without first checking with your doctor.
• Prograf may increase your risk for developing skin cancer. Avoid using sunlamps or tanning booths. Limit your exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are taking Prograf.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Prograf may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Prograf may increase the risk of certain infections, especially inactive viral infections, including BK virus associated nephropathy and JC virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). These infections can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, outcomes. Contact your doctor right away if you experience clumsiness, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking (eg, word-finding difficulty, slurred speech), or loss of vision.
• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Prograf. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
• Patients who take Prograf after an organ transplant may have an increased risk for developing high blood sugar or diabetes. The risk is higher among black and Hispanic patients after a kidney transplant. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
• Lab tests, including blood counts, blood potassium and glucose levels, kidney function, heart function, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Prograf. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Caution is advised when using Prograf in children; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially lymphoma.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Prograf has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Prograf while you are pregnant. Prograf is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Prograf.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine; decreased coordination; chest pain; diabetes (frequent urination, increased thirst or hunger); fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, confusion) one-sided weakness; painful urination or changes in the amount of urine; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, feet, or legs; tingling or numbness in the hands or feet; tremor; trouble speaking; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps or skin lesions; unusual weakness or tiredness; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.