Unit 5 & 7 Drug- Tacrolimus

Question 1

What is Tacrolimus used for?

Answer 1

Prophylaxis (action to prevent disease) of heart and liver transplant rejection. Used off-label for other transplant including graft-versus-host disease, nephritic syndrome, psoriasis, and uveitis. Used short-term for eczema and atopic dermatitis.

Question 2

What is the black box warning?

Answer 2

Topical use can cause lymphoma and skin cancer

Question 3

How is it different from cyclosporine?

Answer 3

It is 100 times more potent and is more effective in some patients at preventing transplant rejection

Question 4

Adverse effects

Answer 4

Nephrotoxicity (headache, tremor, paresthesias, insomnia, and dizziness.)
Hypertension, anemia, hyperglycemia, and GI complaints