• Long-term use may increase risk of cancer and serious infections.
• Protopic®: Please read the medication guide.
• Protopic®: Do not give to a child <2 years old.
• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• Protopic®: Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years of age.
• If you have an allergy to tacrolimus or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• Tacrolimus helps the body accept a transplanted organ.
• It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
Oral:
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
Injection:
• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.
Skin:
• Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash hands before and after use. Do not wash hands after use if applying to the hand area.
• Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.
• Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying.
• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
All forms:
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
Oral:
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2005-04-07 17:20:35.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:30:09.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used to prevent rejection after organ transplant.
• This medicine is used to treat diseases of the immune system.
• This medicine is used to treat skin irritation. It may take 2 weeks to see the full effect.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
All forms:
• The risk of cancer is higher after using this medicine.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
Oral and injection:
• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
• Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, or colestipol within 2 hours of this medicine.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Skin:
• Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
• If you are receiving any form of light therapy, talk with healthcare provider.
Oral and injection:
• High blood pressure.
• Worsening kidney function.
• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Inability to sleep.
• Sunburn.
Skin:
• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Headache.
• Cough.
• Skin irritation.
• Skin infection.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• Severe headache.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Increased trips to the bathroom, increased thirst, or weight loss.
• Unable to pass urine.
• Severe skin irritation.
• Severe swelling.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
