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Tacrolimus
Pronounced tah-KRO-li-mus
Brand names: Prograf, Envarsus, Astagraf
Type: Calcineurin inhibitor (immunosuppressant) · All Transplant & Immune Medicines
What Tacrolimus is used for
- Preventing organ rejection after kidney, liver, heart, and other transplants
- Eczema (ointment form)
◆ Kidney note
A cornerstone of kidney transplant care, but itself toxic to kidneys at high levels — level and kidney monitoring guide every dose decision.
Common side effects
- Tremor
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Raised blood sugar
- Hair loss
Important cautions
- Blood levels must be monitored — the range between too little (rejection) and too much (toxicity) is narrow
- Raises the risk of serious infections and, long-term, certain cancers including skin cancer and lymphoma
- Grapefruit and many medicines (including certain antibiotics and antifungals) change its level dramatically
How it comes
Capsules, extended-release tablets and capsules, liquid, ointment, injection (hospital). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Toxicity lists: Tacrolimus also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Kidneys.
Related medicines — Transplant & Immune Medicines
Condition guides on MedicalVideos.com
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.