Safely Buy Prograf ( Tacrolimus ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.
Indications
Prograf is a transplant medication used to help prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
Tacrolimus is a macrocyclic lactone calcineurin inhibitor that suppresses your immune system to prevent it from attacking transplanted organs. This immunosuppressive activity allows Prograf to prevent rejection in those with heart, liver, lung, or kidney transplants.
This medication has proven to be equally or more effective than cyclosporin at supporting patient and graft survival and reducing rejection. Prograf also has a lower incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and gingivitis but may lead to some types of neurotoxicity, alopecia, and pruritus depending on the dose and patient tolerability.
Uses and Dosage
The dose of Prograf prescribed will depend on the individual being treated and the specifics of their transplant. Follow all your doctor’s instructions to ensure the best results during treatment.
- Swallow capsules whole, do not crush or chew
- Take with a full glass of water at the same time each day
- Prograf can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time
- Doses are administered by weight and tolerability
- See your doctor regularly for checkups and blood pressure tests
- Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
Side Effects
Prograf may cause some side effects to develop while suppressing your immune system to prevent transplant rejection. Speak with your doctor for more information regarding any symptoms you may encounter when taking tacrolimus.
Common Prograf side effects:
- Low blood cell counts, infections
- Fever
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain
- Weakness, pain
- Fluid around your heart
- Tremors
- Headache
- Cough, troubles breathing
- High blood sugar, high potassium levels, high cholesterol or triglycerides
- Low magnesium or phosphate levels
- Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
- Insomnia
- Swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet
Serious Side Effects
Some more serious adverse effects may occur when taking tacrolimus. Stop using Prograf and call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- General ill feeling, pain or swelling near transplanted organ
- Headache, vision changes, pounding in neck or ears
- Confusion, changes in behaviour
- Tremors, seizure
- Fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness
- Chest pain, cough, trouble breathing
- High blood sugar levels (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, fruity breath odor, nausea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, confusion)
- High potassium levels (nausea, weakness, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement)
- Kidney issues (swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath)
- Low magnesium or phosphate (bone pain, jerking muscle movements, muscle weakness or limp feeling, slowed reflexes)
- Low blood cell counts (fever, flu symptoms, tiredness, pale skin, cold hands and feet)
You may become infected more easily while taking Prograf because of its immunosuppressive effects. Call your doctor if you develop signs of an infection which include fever, chills, flu symptoms, cough, sweating, painful skin sores, skin warmth or redness, muscle aches.
Allergic Reactions
Do not use Prograf if you are allergic to tacrolimus or hydrogenated castor oil. If you develop an allergic reaction, stop taking this medication and seek medical attention right away.
Prograf allergy symptoms may include:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Cautions
Do not use Prograf if you have used cyclosporine within the last 24 hours to avoid a dangerous druc interaction.
Prograf’s immunosuppressive effects may increase your risk of developing infections or certain types of cancer. This risk may be hightened if you are treated over a longer period. Consult with your doctor about the risks and what symptoms to monitor for.
Some patients with kidney transplants have developed diabetes when taking Prograf. This was more commonly seen in those who are Hispanic or African American.
Avoid ingesting any grapefruit products because it can interact with tacrolimus and cause adverse reactions.
To ensure your safety when taking Prograf, tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Liver, kidney, or heart problems unrelated to your transplant
- Long QT syndrome in you or a family member
- If you are scheduled to receive a vaccine
You should avoid receiving a live vaccine while using Prograf because it may not work as well. Live vaccines include those such as measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, typhoid, and yellow fever.
Prograf can cause harm to your kidneys, an effect which can be worsened if taken in combination with medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis.
Some other drugs can interact with tacrolimus and cause unwanted side effects. To ensure your safety, tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including over the counter medicines, but especially any of the following:
- Amiodarone
- Cisplatin
- Cyclosporine
- Sirolimus
- Antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medicines
- Heart or blood pressure medication
Consult with your doctor if you plant to become pregnant while taking Prograf. Tacrolimus may cause harm to an unborn baby and worsen diabetes or high blood pressure in the mother. Ensure that you use effective methods of birth control before and after treatment to avoid complications.
Male Prograf patients should use effective birth control before and during treatment if their sexual partner is able to get pregnant.
Ask your doctor before breastfeeding while taking Prograf.
Form and Strength
This immunosuppressive transplant medication is available in capsule form.
Prograf capsule strengths:
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 5mg
The 0.5mg capsules are available in quantities of 50, 60, and 100 while the 5mg ones are available in groups of 50 or 60 and the 1mg capsules are available in quantities of 100.
FAQ
What to avoid while taking Prograf?
You should avoid ingesting any grapefruit product while taking Prograf because it can interact with tacrolimus and cause adverse reactions. Avoiding live vaccines during treatment is also important because this medication suppresses your immune system and leaves you more susceptible to succumbing to infections.
How does Prograf protect my new organ?
Prograf helps protect your new organ from being rejected by your body through its inhibitory actions. Tacrolimus offers immunosuppressive effects which slow your immune system’s responses to prevent it from attacking your new organs after receiving your transplant.
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Additional information
Brand Name: |
Prograf |
|---|---|
Scientific Name: |
Tacrolimus |
Other Names: |
Pangraf, Prograf, Vingraf |
Strength(s): |
0.5mg, 1mg, 5mg |
Quantities Available: |
50, 60, 90, 100 |
Formulation: |
Capsule |
