Trade Names:Prograf- Capsules 0.5 mg- Capsules 1 mg- Capsules 5 mg- Injection, solution, concentrate 5 mg/mL
Trade Names:Protopic- Ointment 0.03%- Ointment 0.1%
Protopic (Canada)Suppresses cell-mediated immune reactions and some humoral immunity, but exact mechanism is not known. The mechanism of action in atopic dermatitis is not known.
In healthy volunteers, as well as kidney and liver transplant patients, tacrolimus C max ranged from approximately 19.2 to 68.5 ng/mL, T max ranged from 1.5 to 3 h, AUC ranged from 203 to 3,300 ng•h/mL, half-life ranged from 11.7 to 34.8 h, and bioavailability ranged from approximately 17% to 23%.
Food effectsThe rate and extent of absorption were greatest under fasted conditions. The presence and composition of food decreased the rate and extent of absorption. The effect was most pronounced with a high-fat meal. Mean AUC and C max were decreased 37% and 77%, respectively. T max was lengthened 5-fold. A high-carbohydrate meal decreased mean AUC and mean C max 28% and 65%, respectively.
Tacrolimus Vd is approximately 0.85 to 1.94 L/kg. Protein binding is about 99%, mainly to albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein.
Tacrolimus is extensively metabolized by the mixed function oxidation system, primarily the CYP-450 system (CYP3A). The major metabolite identified is 13-demethyl tacrolimus.
Cl is about 0.04 to 0.083 L/h/kg. Less than 1% of an administered dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. The half-life is approximately 31.9 to 48.4 h (PO and IV).
The mean Cl was substantially lower and half-life prolonged in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
ChildrenChildren younger than 12 yr of age need higher doses than adults to achieve similar trough concentrations.
GenderNo pharmacokinetic differences have been identified.
RaceKidney transplant patients who are black require a higher tacrolimus dose to attain trough concentrations similar to white patients.
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogenic liver, kidney, or heart transplants. Used in conjunction with adrenal corticosteroids. Used in conjunction with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil in heart and kidney transplant patients.
TopicalAs second-line therapy for the short-term and noncontinuous long-term treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
Prophylaxis of rejection for patients receiving bone marrow, pancreas, pancreatic island cell, and small bowel transplantation; treatment of autoimmune disease (ie, rheumatoid arthritis); prevention and treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; treatment of Crohn disease; treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum.
TopicalTreatment of vitiligo; cutaneous lupus erythematosis; facial, flexural, and intertriginous psoriasis; oral or genital lichen planus; pyoderma gangrenosum.
Hypersensitivity to tacrolimus or polyoxyl 60 hydrogenated castor oil, which is present in the injection, or any component of the product.
PO 0.075 mg/kg/day in 2 divided daily doses every 12 h no sooner than 6 h after transplantation. IV 0.01 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion.
Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection, Kidney TransplantsAdultsPO 0.2 mg/kg/day (in combination with azathioprine) or 0.1 mg/kg/day (in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and interleukin-2 [IL-2] receptor antagonist) in 2 divided daily doses every 12 h, starting within 24 h of transplantation but delayed until renal function is recovered (eg, serum creatinine of 4 mg/dL or less). Black patients may require higher doses to achieve comparable blood concentration. IV 0.03 to 0.05 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion.
Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection, Liver TransplantsAdultsPO 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/day in 2 divided daily doses every 12 h no sooner than 6 h after transplantation. IV 0.03 to 0.05 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion.
ChildrenPO 0.15 to 0.2 mg/kg/day in 2 divided daily doses every 12 h. IV 0.03 to 0.05 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion.
Topical DermatitisAdultsTopical Apply thin layer of 0.03% or 0.1% to affected skin areas twice daily. Rub in gently and completely. Continue for 1 wk after clearing of atopic dermatitis.
Children (2 yr of age and older)Topical Apply thin layer of 0.03% to affected skin areas twice daily. Rub in gently and completely. Continue for 1 wk after clearing of atopic dermatitis.
Store capsules at 59° to 86°F. Store injection at 41° to 77°F. Store diluted solution in glass or polyethylene containers and discard after 24 h. Store ointment at 59° to 86°F. Keep tightly capped.
Tacrolimus blood concentrations may be elevated, increasing the risk of toxicity.
Carbamazepine, caspofungin, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, sirolimus, St. John's wortTacrolimus blood concentrations may be reduced, increasing the risk of transplant rejection.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, cimetidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole)Use with caution during topical administration.
EthanolRisk of facial flushing may be increased with topical tacrolimus.
Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin)Tacrolimus plasma levels may be reduced, while hydantoin concentrations may be increased.
Mycophenolate mofetil, sildenafil, simvastatinPlasma levels may be elevated by tacrolimus, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.
Nephrotoxic agents (eg, aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cisplatin, cyclosporine)Additive nephrotoxicity.
Potassium-sparing diureticsAvoid use with tacrolimus because of the potential for tacrolimus to cause hyperkalemia.
SirolimusTacrolimus blood concentrations may be elevated. Coadministration of tacrolimus and sirolimus in combination with corticosteroids has been associated with fatal cases of bronchial anastomotic dehiscence in lung transplant patients. The combination is not recommended.
Vaccination (eg, BCG, measles, mumps, oral polio, rubella, TY 21a typhoid, yellow fever)Vaccination may be less effective. Avoid use of live vaccines.
ZiprasidoneRisk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes, may be increased. Coadministration is contraindicated.
None well documented.
The incidences of the following oral/IV adverse reactions were reported with combined use of tacrolimus and steroids or azathioprine. The reported incidences for topical tacrolimus represent monotherapy.
Headache, insomnia (64%); tremor (56%); asthenia (52%); paresthesia (40%); dizziness (19%); carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral infection, feeling jittery, hemiparesis, leukoencephalopathy, mental disorder, mutism, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), quadriplegia, speech disorder (postmarketing).
TopicalHeadache (20%); insomnia (4%); asthenia (3%); anxiety, depression, dizziness, malaise, migraine, neuritis, paresthesia, vertigo (at least 1%).
Hypertension (62%); chest pain (19%); pericardial effusion (15%); atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia, deep limb venous thrombosis, ECG T wave abnormal, flushing, MI, myocardial hypertrophy associated with ventricular dysfunction, myocardial ischemia, pericardial effusion, QT prolongation, syncope, torsades de pointes, ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular fibrillation (postmarketing).
TopicalAngina pectoris, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, palpitations, peripheral vascular disorder, vasodilation (at least 1%).
Pruritus (36%); rash (24%); Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN (postmarketing).
TopicalSkin burning (58%); pruritus (46%); skin erythema (28%); skin infection (12%); skin tingling (8%); acne, hyperesthesia (7%); folliculitis, urticaria (6%); rash (5%); contact dermatitis, pustular rash, skin disorder, vesiculobullous rash (4%); cyst, dry skin, eczema herpeticum, exfoliative dermatitis (3%); eczema, face edema, fungal dermatitis, maculopapular rash, sunburn (2%); benign skin neoplasm (1%); alopecia, cellulitis, furunculosis, photosensitivity reaction, skin discoloration, sweating (at least 1%).
Blindness, cortical blindness, loss of hearing (including deafness), photophobia (postmarketing).
TopicalOtitis media (12%); pharyngitis, rhinitis (6%); conjunctivitis (2%); ear pain, epistaxis, eye disorder, eye pain, laryngitis (at least 1%).
Diarrhea (72%); abdominal pain (59%); nausea (46%); constipation (36%); anorexia (34%); vomiting (29%); dyspepsia (28%); bile duct stenosis, colitis, enterocolitis, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, impaired gastric emptying, mouth ulceration, necrotizing pancreatitis, stomach ulcer (postmarketing).
TopicalDiarrhea (5%); dyspepsia (4%); abdominal pain, nausea (3%); gastroenteritis (2%); periodontal abscess, vomiting (1%); anorexia, constipation, gastritis, taste perversion, tooth disorder (at least 1%).
Abnormal kidney function (56%); urinary tract infection (34%); oliguria (19%); acute renal failure, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, hemorrhagic cystitis, micturition disorder (postmarketing).
TopicalDysmenorrhea (4%); breast pain, creatinine increased, unintended pregnancy, vaginal moniliasis (at least 1%).
Anemia (50%); leukopenia (48%); leukocytosis (32%); thrombocytopenia (24%); DIC, neutropenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (postmarketing).
TopicalLymphadenopathy (3%); ecchymosis, leukocytosis, leukopenia (at least 1%).
Fatty liver, hepatic cytolysis, hepatic necrosis, hepatotoxicity, venoocclusive liver disease (postmarketing).
TopicalALT or AST increased, bilirubinemia, LFTs abnormal (at least 1%).
Creatinine increased (45%); LFTs abnormal (36%); BUN increased (30%).
Hypophosphatemia (49%); hypomagnesemia (48%); hyperglycemia (47%); hyperkalemia (45%); peripheral edema (36%); hyperlipemia (31%); hypokalemia (29%); diabetes mellitus (26%); edema, hyperlipidemia (18%); cushingoid features (less than 15%); amylase increased (including pancreatitis), glycosuria, weight decreased (postmarketing).
TopicalPeripheral edema (36%); dehydration, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia (at least 1%).
Back pain (30%); arthralgia (25%).
TopicalMyalgia (3%); back pain (2%); arthralgia, arthritis, neck pain (at least 1%).
Pleural effusion (36%); dyspnea (29%); atelectasis (28%); cough (18%); bronchitis (17%); acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung disease, lung infiltration, respiratory distress, respiratory failure (postmarketing).
TopicalAsthma (6%); sinusitis (4%); bronchitis (3%); cough increased, pneumonia (1%); dyspnea, hypoxia, lung disorder (at least 1%).
Pain (63%); fever (48%); infection (45%); cytomegalovirus infection (32%); renal transplant incision-site complication (28%); ascites (27%); renal graft dysfunction (24%); Candida infection, impaired wound healing (less than 15%); feeling hot and cold, hot flushes, multiorgan failure, primary graft dysfunction (postmarketing).
TopicalFever (21%); flu-like symptoms (18%); allergic reaction (12%); alcohol intolerance, infection (7%); accidental injury (6%); varicella zoster/herpes zoster (5%); herpes simplex, (4%); cyst (3%); pain (2%); lack of drug effect (1%); anaphylactoid reaction, angioedema, cheilitis, chills, edema, exacerbation of untreated area, hernia, procedural complication (routine procedure) (at least 1%).
Category C .
Excreted in breast milk. Avoid breast-feeding.
Children generally require higher doses to maintain trough tacrolimus levels similar to adults (oral and IV). Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 2 yr of age (topical).
May require reduced doses; monitor closely.
Patients with hepatic disease may require reduced doses (Child-Pugh class 10 or higher).
May occur with IV injection.
Insulin-dependent posttransplant diabetes mellitus has been reported.
Frequently occurs with tacrolimus; may require treatment.
May occur. Antihypertensive therapy may be required.
Avoid use in immunocompromised patients (topical). Safety and efficacy not established.
Lymphoproliferative disorder related to Epstein-Barr virus infection and activation of latent viral infections (including BK virus associated neuropathy and JC virus associated PML) has been reported in patients on immunosuppressants.
Investigate the etiology of lymphadenopathy occurring in patients receiving the topical ointment.
Increased risk of developing malignancies, particularly of the skin, in patients treated with tacrolimus.
Has been reported; manifested by echocardiographically demonstrated concentric increases in left ventricular posterior wall and interventricular septum thickness.
May occur; particularly when used in high doses.
Topical use is not recommended.
Neurotoxicity (including headache and tremor) and other changes in motor function, mental status, and sensory function have been reported.
Resolve clinical infections at treatment sites before starting topical therapy.
The topical ointment may be associated with increased risk of varicella zoster virus infection (eg, chickenpox or shingles), herpes simplex virus infection, or eczema herpeticum.
Maximum tolerated dose not established; transient urticaria and lethargy observed in 1 case of acute overdose.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.