Prograf

Prograf (tacrolimus) Coupons, Discounts & Cost

Prograf is a drug with immunosuppressive action. One way to save money on the Prograf retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Prograf coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use this Tacrolimus coupon at this online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price.

When can I use Prograf?

Prograf is a drug with immunosuppressive action. It is used to prevent rejection of the liver and kidney, as well as cardiac allograft rejection. It is also effective in case of rejection of allograft resistant to other regimens of immunosuppressive therapy.

When should I NOT use Prograf?

Prograf (tacrolimus) should be avoided in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as to other macrolides. Pregnant women should not use this drug.

How should I use Prograf?

Prograf (tacrolimus) should be prescribed by specialists with experience in immunosuppressive therapy. It is possible to change the dosage regimen or dosage form only under the supervision of a specialist.

At the initial stage, combination therapy of Prograf with other immunosuppressants is usually recommended. The dose may vary depending on the regime of immunosuppressive therapy. The duration of therapy is not limited.

As a rule, patients should take Prograf capsules with liquid (preferably - water). It is recommended to make a break before meals (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). If necessary, the contents of the capsules should be mixed with water and injected through a nasogastric tube.

Do not double the next dose if you miss a capsule. The daily dose is divided into 2 equal parts (take in the morning and in the evening). Prograf capsules must be swallowed immediately after they are removed from the blister.

Prograf concentrate must be diluted with 5% dextrose solution or 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Prograf infusion can be administered only intravenously.

Dosage regimen for liver transplantation: - Primary immunosuppression (children): daily initial dose (capsules) - 300 mcg/kg. - Primary immunosuppression (adults): daily initial dose (capsules) - 100-200 mcg/kg. It is advisable to begin the therapy within 12 hours after the operation is completed. If it is impossible to take the drug orally, the treatment should be started with intravenous infusion at a dose of 10-50 mcg/kg. - Supportive therapy (children and adults): dose reduction and cancellation of concomitant immunosuppressive therapy are possible (Prograf should be used as monotherapy). - Treatment of rejection (children and adults): use higher doses in combination with corticosteroids (short courses). You may need to lower the dose of the drug if signs of toxicity appear.

Dosing regimen for kidney transplantation: - Primary immunosuppression (children): daily initial dose (capsules) - 300 mcg/kg. - Primary immunosuppression (adults): daily initial dose (capsules) - 200-300 mcg/kg. It is advisable to begin therapy within 24 hours after the operation is completed. If it is impossible to take the drug orally, the treatment should be started with intravenous infusion at a dose of 10-50 mcg/kg. - Supportive therapy (children and adults): dose reduction is possible. - Treatment of rejection (children and adults): use higher doses in combination with corticosteroids (short courses). You may need to lower the dose of the drug if signs of toxicity appear.

Dosage regimen for heart transplantation: - Primary immunosuppression (children): Prograf is prescribed as monotherapy (300 mcg/kg) or with antibody induction (100-300 mcg/kg). - Primary immunosuppression (adults): it is possible to use the drug with antibody induction (75 mcg/kg). It is desirable to begin therapy within 5 days after operation. If it is impossible to take the drug orally, the treatment should be started with intravenous infusion at a dose of 10-20 mcg/kg. Capsules are prescribed within 12 hours after transplantation (the initial daily dose of 2000-4000 mcg simultaneously with corticosteroids or sirolimus and corticosteroids). - Supportive therapy (children and adults): dose reduction is possible. - Treatment of rejection (children and adults): use higher doses in combination with corticosteroids (short courses).

Dosing regimen for other organs (initial daily dose): - Lung: 100-150 mcg/kg. - Pancreas: 200 mcg/kg. - Small intestine: 300 mcg/kg.

Prograf side effects

Nervous system: very often - headache, tremor; often - epilepsy syndrome, paresthesia, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy; rarely - coma, paresis and paralysis, hemorrhages in the central nervous system and disorders of cerebral circulation, amnesia, encephalopathy; very rarely - myasthenia gravis.

Cardiovascular system: very often - arterial hypertension; often - tachycardia, coronary artery disorders, peripheral circulatory disorders, arterial hypotension; rarely - heart failure, heart palpitations, ventricular hypertrophy, supraventricular arrhythmias, arrhythmia, pulse and heart rate changes, pericardial effusion.

Blood: often - bleeding; rarely - coagulopathy, hypoprothrombinemia.

Respiratory system: often - pharyngitis, dyspnea, pleural effusion, nasal congestion, cough, rhinitis; rarely - respiratory disorders, respiratory failure, asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Hemostasis system: often - thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, leukocytosis; rarely - neutropenia, pancytopenia.

Hepatobiliary system: often - jaundice and cholestasis, hepatitis, cholangitis; rarely - thrombosis of the hepatic artery; very rarely - liver failure.

Digestive system: very often - nausea, diarrhea; often - inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal ulcers, perforations and bleeding, ulceration of the oral mucosa and stomatitis, vomiting, gastrointestinal and abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation; rarely - paralytic intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, pancreatitis (chronic and acute), gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Musculoskeletal system: often - muscle cramps, arthralgia, pain in the back and limbs; rarely - articular disorders.

Endocrine system: very often - diabetes, hyperglycemia; rarely - hirsutism.

Urinary system: very often - impaired renal function; often - oliguria, renal failure, acute renal failure, urinary syndrome, acute tubular necrosis, toxic nephropathy, disorders of the bladder and urethra, anuria; very rarely - hemorrhagic cystitis, nephropathy.

Immune system: anaphylactic and allergic reactions.

Reproductive system: rarely - uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea.

Metabolism: very often - hyperkalemia; often - hypomagnesemia, electrolyte disorders, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypervolemia, anorexia, hyperlipidemia, metabolic acidosis, hypercholesterolemia; rarely - dehydration, hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia.

Dermatological reactions: often - acne, rash, itching, alopecia; rarely - photosensitivity, dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome); very rarely - Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Other reactions: very often - insomnia; often - anxiety, nightmares, hallucinations, depressed mood, depression, emotional disorders; rarely - psychotic disorders, blurred vision, photophobia, hearing impairment.

Important information

It is necessary to avoid using phytopreparations containing St. John's wort, as well as other herbal remedies, which can lead to a decrease in the concentration of tacrolimus in the blood.

The combined administration of cyclosporine with tacrolimus should be avoided.

Prograf therapy may lead to opportunistic infections caused by protozoa, fungi, bacteria, viruses (associated with suppression of the immune system) and malignant tumors. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid UV irradiation.