Prograf
(tacrolimus)
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Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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Our bottom line
Prograf (tacrolimus) is a good medicine that prevents rejection of an organ transplant, but you will need to be on it lifelong.
Quick facts about Prograf
- Drug class: Transplant
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (tacrolimus)
Upsides
- Prevents your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
- Available as an extended-release pill, so it can be taken just once daily.
- Less cosmetic side-effects than other anti-rejection medicine like cyclosporine.
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What to expect from Prograf, on one page
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Downsides
- Regular blood tests are required for monitoring while on Prograf (tacrolimus).
- Can cause a lot of side-effects, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, mental status changes, and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.
- Increases your risk of infection and certain cancers.
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What to expect from Prograf, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Prograf (tacrolimus) is an immunosuppresant that lowers the activity of your immune system, so it doesn't attack the transplanted organ.
Quick facts about Prograf
- Drug class: Transplant
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (tacrolimus)
Used for
- Prevention of heart transplant rejection
- Prevention of liver transplant rejection
- Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Injection
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Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 90 (1mg) tablets of tacrolimus near
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Prograf (tacrolimus) for Transplant rejection prevention
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Tremor
- Insomnia
- Infection
- Swelling in arms and legs
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Side effect rates for Prograf (tacrolimus)
From 157 clinical trials of Prograf when taken for heart transplant (taken with azathioprine and corticosteroids)
- High blood pressure62%62%
- Kidney Function Abnormal56%56%
- Anemia50%50%
- Low white blood cells48%48%
- Viral infection32%32%
- Diabetes Mellitus26%26%
- Infection24%24%
- High blood sugar23%23%
- High cholesterol18%18%
- Bronchitis17%17%
- Urinary Tract Infection16%16%
- Fluid around the heart15%15%
- Tremor15%15%
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Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Prograf.
Prograf (tacrolimus)
Placebo
People taking Prograf felt side effect more
People taking Prograf felt side effect less
No difference
Risks and Warnings for Prograf (tacrolimus)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking other immunosuppressant drugs
- › Age 60 or older
- › Weak immune system
Prograf (tacrolimus) works by lowering your immune response, so it increases your risk of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Common concerns from people taking Prograf (tacrolimus)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Kidneys and liver
- Prograf (tacrolimus) can cause kidney damage, especially in patients with poor kidney function, or who are taking other drugs that can damage the kidneys. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your kidney function and Prograf (tacrolimus) levels, and will change your dose if needed.
- Can cause a lot of side-effects, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, mental status changes, and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.