Tacrolimus (oral and injection)

Generic name: tacrolimus (oral/injection) [ ta-KROE-li-mus ]
Brand names: Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf, Hecoria
Dosage forms: intravenous solution (5 mg/mL); oral capsule (0.5 mg; 1 mg; 5 mg); oral capsule, extended release (0.5 mg; 1 mg; 5 mg); oral granule for reconstitution (0.2 mg; 1 mg); oral tablet, extended release (0.75 mg; 1 mg; 4 mg)
Drug class:Calcineurin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 9, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is tacrolimus?

Tacrolimus is used together with other medicines in people who have had a heart, kidney, liver, or lung transplant.

Tacrolimus weakens your immune system to prevent your body from "rejecting" the transplanted organ.

Tacrolimus may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Tacrolimus may increase your risk of developing a serious infection, skin cancer, or lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using tacrolimus.

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, flu symptoms, cough, sweating, painful skin sores, skin warmth or redness, or muscle aches.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to tacrolimus or hydrogenated castor oil, or if you have used cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf) within the past 24 hours.

Using tacrolimus may increase your risk of developing serious infections or certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma or skin cancer. Your risk may be higher if you are treated over long periods of time with drugs that weaken the immune system. Ask your doct...