- Heartburn Slideshow: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid
- 10 Facts About the Amazing Brain
- Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow Pictures
- What brand names are available for tacrolimus?
- Is tacrolimus available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for tacrolimus?
- What are the uses for tacrolimus?
- What are the side effects of tacrolimus?
- What is the dosage for tacrolimus?
- Is tacrolimus safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about tacrolimus?
What are the uses for tacrolimus?
- Tacrolimus is used for the prevention of rejection of transplanted kidneys, liver, or heart.
- It can be combined with steroids, azathioprine (Imuran Azasan) or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept).
What are the side effects of tacrolimus?
Tacrolimus is associated with many and various side effects. These include:
- baldness,
- anemia,
- loss of appetite,
- diarrhea,
- high concentrations of potassium in the blood,
- high blood pressure,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- tingling sensation in the extremities,
- itching,
- tremor,
- fever,
- headache,
- rash,
- high blood sugar concentrations, and
- abdominal pain.
Other side effects include
- confusion,
- painful joints,
- increased sensitivity to light,
- blurred vision,
- insomnia,
- infection,
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin due to effects on the liver),
- kidney injury,
- swollen ankles, and
- seizures.
What is the dosage for tacrolimus?
- Oral tacrolimus is taken twice daily.
- Starting doses range between 0.075 mg/kg/day to 0.2 mg/kg/day (immediate release capsules).
- Doses vary widely and are based on tests that measure the amount of tacrolimus in the blood.
- Taking tacrolimus with food can reduce some of the abdominal pain that can occur with this medicine; however, food can reduce the amount of tacrolimus that is absorbed. This is especially true with fatty foods.
- Capsules should be taken consistently with or without food in order to avoid major swings in blood levels.
- Grapefruit juice increases blood levels of tacrolimus and should be avoided.
- The injection is only used for patients who cannot tolerate tacrolimus capsules.
Is tacrolimus safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Tacrolimus crosses the placenta, but there have been no adequate studies in pregnant women to assess the effects on the fetus. Among women who have received tacrolimus while pregnant, high potassium levels and kidney injury in newborns have been reported. Therefore, tacrolimus should be used during pregnancy only when it is clearly needed.
- Tacrolimus passes into breast milk. It is recommended that breastfeeding be discontinued while women are receiving oral tacrolimus.
What else should I know about tacrolimus?
What preparations of tacrolimus are available?
- Capsule: 0.5, 1, and 5 mg
- Tablets: 0.75, 1, 4 mg
- Injection: 5 mg/ml
How should I keep tacrolimus stored?
Tacrolimus should be stored at room temperature between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).
Quick GuidePrescription Drug Abuse: Know The Warning Signs

Summary
Tacrolimus (Prograf, Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR) is a medication prescribed for the prevention of rejection of transplanted liver, heart, or kidneys. Side effects may include:
Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication. The brand Hecoria has been discontinued in the US.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Kidney Disease Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Kidney disease is common. Take this kidney disease quiz to test your knowledge and learn the symptoms, causes and types of kidney...
-
Liver Disease Quiz: Fatty Liver Disease, Cirrhosis & Symptoms
What is liver disease? Take the Liver Disease Quiz and test your knowledge about this organ and its function....
-
Picture of Liver
Front View of the Liver. The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. See a picture of the Liver...
-
Picture of Kidneys
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. See a picture of the Kidneys and learn more about the health...
-
Heart Disease: Symptoms, Signs, and Causes
What is heart disease (coronary artery disease)? Learn about the causes of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease include chest...
-
Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack
Learn about heart disease and heart attack symptoms and signs of a heart attack in men and women. Read about heart disease...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Liver (Anatomy and Function)
The liver is the largest gland and organ in the body. There are a variety of liver diseases caused by liver inflammation,...
-
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease. Varying degrees of weakness of the voluntary muscles of the body...
-
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that may cause large plaques of red, raised skin, flakes of dry skin, and skin scales....
-
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis or PSC is a disease of the liver. The cause of PSC is not known. Symptoms may include itching,...
-
Kidney Failure (Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Causes, Treatment, and Life Expectancy)
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss,...
-
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)
The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The intestinal complications of...
-
Eczema
Eczema refers to skin inflammation. There are many different types of eczema that produce symptoms and signs that range from...
-
Jock Itch
Jock itch is an itchy red rash that appears in the groin area. The rash may be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. People...
-
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy means brain disease, damage, or malfunction. Causes of encephalopathy are varied and numerous. The main symptom of...
-
Liver Disease Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases, for example, gallstones, high...
-
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition. Symptoms and signs include a red, scaling rash on the scalp, face, ears, and...
-
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a condition that happens when immune cells from transplanted donor tissue attack the...
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Kidney Disease FAQs
- Liver Disease FAQs
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- Study Suggests Causes for Lupus' Impact on Immune System
- New Kidney Transplant Drug Cuts Risk of Earlier Death: Study
- Mouse Study Hints at New 'Male Contraceptive'
- Drug Combo Helps Lupus-Related Kidney Condition
- New Technique Protects Tissue Transplant From Rejection: Study
- Many Lupus Patients Forgo Needed Medication, Study Finds
- HIV Drug May Prevent Bone Marrow Transplant Complication
From 
Drugs and Treatment Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.