Prograf (Tacrolimus)

Prograf is a potential pharmaceutical drug that suppresses the normal immune responses of the body and is administered orally during and after organ transplantation and also in certain types of autoimmune disease.

Prograf is manufactured in form of oral medication that is basically prescribed to be taken twice a day with or without food. However, the exact dosage may be only prescribed individually as it depends on the level of Prograf in the blood. This level in its turn goes estimated in accordance with the regular blood tests. Keep in mind that taking Prograf together with your meals can significantly decrease such adverse side effects as severe crapping but at the same time taking the drug with food may decrease the amount of Prograf absorbed by the blood, which is especially noticeable with fatty meals. If you cannot avoid taking the drug with food, make sure you take Prograf with lean products.

Prograf is a potential pharmaceutical drug that suppresses the normal immune responses of the body and is administered orally during and after organ transplantation and also in certain types of autoimmune disease. The mechanisms of Prograf are those of decreasing the natural immune responses by way of blocking calcineurin, an enzyme responsible for the release of T-cells that play the foremost role in the immune processes. As a rule, oral steroids are used alongside with other medications to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs, and the use of Prograf makes it possible to decrease the number of prescribed steroids. This effect of Prograf is rather vital, as avoiding of the excessive use of steroids is the crucial point in the after-transplantation period due to the notoriously known adverse side effects that the patients may develop while taking large amounts of steroids for prolonged period of time. Prograf was approved for liver transplantation back in 1994 by FDA, and nowadays the medication is safely used for heart, kidney, small bowel, and bone marrow transplantations.

If you miss a dose of Prograf, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose at once.

Prograf should be kept n a cool dry place at the temperature ranging from 68 to 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Keep Prograf out of the reach of children and domestic animals.

The prolonged use of Prograf may cause the development of tumors and weaken the immune system of the patient in general. The medical environment of the prescription should be accurately chosen. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual indurations or start developing such symptoms of infection as fever or throat inflammation. Notify your doctor before proceeding with Prograf therapy in case you have been diagnosed with kidney irregularities, liver disorders, hypertension, diabetes or allergic reactions to any medications.
Prograf is not recommended for the use of the following groups of patients:
- Persons with heart irregularities;
- Pregnant or nursing women.

In the latter case, discuss pros and contras of the Prograf therapy with your doctor as well as the possible risks to our baby.

The list of side effects that the patients taking Prograf may display features diverse symptoms. Here belong: receding of the hairline which may occur in 1 out of 5 patients, a deficiency in the number of red blood cells or in their haemoglobin content, resulting in pallor, shortness of breath, and lack of energy (1 out of 2), decrease of carbohydrate cravings (1 out of 3), frequent and copious discharge of abnormally liquid faeces (3 out of 4), excessive potassium level (1 out of 2), hypertension (1 out of 2), nausea ( 1 2), vomiting (1 out of 4), tinkling in the limbs (2 out of 5), itching (2 out of 3), trembling (1 out of 2), fever (1 out of 2), headache (2 out of 3), rash (1 out of 4), excessive blood glucose (between 1 out of 3 and 1 out of 2), and crapping (1 out of 4). Certain patients may experience vertigo, ache in joints and muscles, excessive sensitivity to light, impaired vision, kidney disorders, swollen legs and heart seizures.

Keep all of your medical appointments and laboratory tests, including complete blood counts, while undergoing Prograf therapy to have every minute change in your condition closely monitored.