TACROGRAF 0.5MG CAPSULE

Introduction:

Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule is an immunosuppressant medicine containing the active constituent tacrolimus. It helps prevent organ rejection in people who have had liver, heart, or kidney transplants. Following an organ transplant, our body’s immune system will try to reject the new organ. This medication controls the body’s immune response to accept the transplanted organ.

You need to inform your physician if you have any liver disorders, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, heart disorders, kidney disorders, if you are allergic to peanuts or soya, or if you are planning to receive any vaccinations before taking Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule. Limit exposure to the sun while taking this medication. Use sunscreen with high SPF (sun protection factor) and wear protective clothing when you go outside.

Make sure you tell your physician of all the medicines, including supplements and herbal medicines, you are taking before you start treatment with Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule. Avoid eating grapefruits and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication. You need to tell your doctor if you have any intolerance to some sugars as this medication contains lactose.

Uses of Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule:

• Prevents organ rejection, followed by an organ transplant

How Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule works:

Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule decreases the activity of your body’s immune system and prevents it from attacking the transplanted organ.

Interactions with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information:

• Keep out of sight and reach of children.
• Store below 25ºC in a dry and dark place.

References:

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Immunosuppressants, tolerogens, and immunostimulants, 12th edition, 2011, 1008.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Immunosuppressant drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 881.
3. Astellas Pharma Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on Oct 2021] [ Accessed on 7th Dec 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6720.pdf
4. Astellas Pharma US, Inc, US Food and Drug administration, [Revised on Feb 2012] [ Accessed on 7th Dec 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/050709s031lbl.pdf
5. Ayesha A. Arya, Yasar Tasnif; Tacrolimus; Updated on 10/06/2021; Accessed on 07/12/2021; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544318/#_NBK544318_pubdet

How to use Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule:

Always take Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule exactly as your physician has told you to. This medication is usually taken on an empty stomach or at least one hour before or 2 to 3 hours after a meal. Swallow the capsules whole with water. Avoid eating grapefruits and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

Safety advice:

Pregnancy:

This medication may cause harm to the unborn baby. You need to inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule.

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Breast Feeding:

Do not breastfeed while taking Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule as this medicine can pass through the breast milk. You need to inform the physician if you are breastfeeding before taking this medication.

Liver: 

You need to inform your physician if you have any liver diseases before taking Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule, as this medication should be used with caution in liver disease patients.

Kidney:

You need to inform your physician if you have any kidney diseases before taking Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule, as this medication should be used with caution in liver disease patients.

Driving:

Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule may cause sleepiness or dizziness. Avoid driving if you are unwell.

Alcohol:

It is advisable to consult your doctor before consuming alcohol while taking a Tacrograf 0.5mg Capsule.

Others:

Talk to your doctor if:

• You are planning to receive any vaccines.
• You have an intolerance to some sugars.
• You are allergic to soy or peanuts.
• You have heart problems, abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Use sunscreen with high SPF (sun protection factor) and wear protective clothing when you go outside.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. All medicines cause side effects; although not everyone gets them.

Severe:

• Abdominal pain along with or without chills, fever, nausea, or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Insufficient function of the transplanted organ

Common:

• High blood sugar levels
• High blood potassium levels
• Sleeping troubles
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Kidney problems