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Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Prescription Required
Salt Composition : Tacrolimus
Manufacturer : ASTELLAS PHARMA INC
Origin of Medicine : India
10 Capsule(s) In A Strip
Introduction to Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Prograf 0.5mg Capsule contains the active substance Tacrolimus. It is an immunosuppressant that belongs to the class of medications called calcineurin inhibitors. This capsule is used along with other medications to prevent organ transplant rejection in people receiving liver, kidney, heart, or other transplants. It is also indicated to control your body’s immune response, enabling it to accept the transplanted organ.
Do not take this Prograf 0.5mg Capsule if you are allergic to tacrolimus or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Report your physician if you are allergic to any antibiotic group. Inform your doctor if you have or had a liver or heart disease before initiating the treatment. Notify your physician immediately if you develop fever, bruising under the skin (which may appear as red dots), unexplained tiredness, confusion, yellowing of the skin or eyes, reduced urine output, vision loss, and seizures after taking this medicine.
Limit exposure to sunlight and UV light while consuming Prograf 0.5mg Capsule by wearing appropriate protective clothing and sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. This is because of the potential risk of malignant skin changes with immunosuppressive therapy. This medicine may cause diarrhea; inform your physician if you have diarrhea for over a day. If you need to receive any vaccinations, consult your doctor once before receiving them.
Uses of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
- Prevent organ transplant rejections
Therapeutic Effects of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Prograf 0.5mg Capsule provides immunosuppression by inhibiting T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation and T-helper-cell-dependent B-cell response. It works by attaching to a protein called FKBP-12 and forms a complex called tacrolimus-FKBP, which inhibits the action of calcineurin phosphatase. This, in turn, inhibits the formation of T cells and suppresses the immune response.
Interaction of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vaccinations, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with the effects of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
More Information about Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
- Store Prograf 0.5mg Capsule at (25°C)
- keep the capsule away from the reach of children and pets.
- If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missing dose.
- Do not take a double dose to compensate for a missed dose.
How to consume Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the treatment based on your disease condition, severity, and other factors. Always take Prograf 0.5mg Capsule as prescribed by your doctor. Do not open, break, crush, or chew the capsules. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Take these capsules on an empty stomach or at least 1 hour before or 2 to 3 hours after the meal.
Safety Advices for Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Pregnancy
Based on animal studies, Prograf 0.5mg Capsule can cause harmful effects on the baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy or planning to get pregnant before initiating the treatment.
Breast Feeding
Do not consume Prograf 0.5mg Capsule if you are breastfeeding because this medicine is excreted into breast milk and may cause harmful effects on the body.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Prograf 0.5mg Capsule can be used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Prograf 0.5mg Capsule should be cautiously administered in patients with severe liver diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary for severe liver failure. Inform your doctor if you have liver problems before initiating the therapy.
Alcohol
It is unsafe to consume alcohol when taking Prograf 0.5mg Capsule because it may cause excessive drowsiness or liver problems.
Driving
Driving vehicles or operating machinery while taking Prograf 0.5mg Capsule is unsafe because it may cause drowsiness and vision problems.
Side Effects of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Swelling in the arm or leg
- Hair loss
- Itchy skin
- Constipation, diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting
- Anemia
- Headache
- Cough
Serious
- Increased or decreased heartbeats
- GI bleeding
- Liver Injury
- Seizure
- Acute kidney failure
- Lung infection or respiratory problems
Word of Advice
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using Prograf 0.5mg Capsule. Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. This medicine may interfere with the vaccine. Ask your healthcare professional before getting a flu shot or other vaccines. You must take this medicine as a long-term treatment to prevent rejection of your transplanted organ. Do not stop taking this medicine without informing your doctor. Your doctor may advise you to take certain tests to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of the therapy. Keep all your appointments regularly.
FAQs
Q 1. What if I missed a dose of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule?
Try to take it as soon as possible, you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and follow the regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
Q 2. What should you not use with Prograf 0.5mg Capsule?
Avoid taking mycophenolic acid-containing products, nelfinavir, sirolimus, cyclosporine, antibiotics, and antiviral medications. Inform your healthcare provider about any prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications, or vitamin or herbal supplements you have taken before the treatment.
Q 3. How long do I need to take Prograf 0.5mg Capsule after a transplant?
The duration of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule treatment after a transplant can vary depending on various factors, including the type of organ transplant and the individual's response to the medication. In most cases, Prograf 0.5mg Capsule is taken long-term to prevent organ rejection, but the healthcare professional will determine the specific duration.
Q 4. Can Prograf 0.5mg Capsule increase the risk of infections?
Yes, Prograf 0.5mg Capsule can suppress the immune system, which may increase the risk of infections. It is important to take precautions to minimize the risk of infections, such as practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick, and getting recommended vaccinations.
Q 5. Can Prograf 0.5mg Capsule affect kidney function?
Prograf 0.5mg Capsule must be cautiously administered in patients with kidney diseases because it can potentially affect kidney function. Regular monitoring of kidney function through blood tests is typically done to detect any changes or potential complications. Inform your physician if you have kidney problems before initiating the therapy.
Q 6. Should I follow any dietary restrictions while taking Prograf 0.5mg Capsule?
Prograf 0.5mg Capsule can interact with certain foods and beverages, particularly grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which may increase the levels of this medicine in the blood. Discussing dietary restrictions and potential interactions with your healthcare provider is important.
Fact Box of Prograf 0.5mg Capsule
Molecule name: Tacrolimus
| Therapeutic class: Immunosuppressant |
Pharmacological class: Calcineurin inhibitors
| Indications: Prevent organ transplant rejections |
References
- Prograf 0.5mg Hard Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). www.medicines.org.uk. Published December 2022. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6720/smpc
- Highlights Of Prescribing Information, Prograf ® (Tacrolimus) Capsules PROGRAF ® (Tacrolimus) Injection, (for Intravenous Use).; Revised 2012. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/050709s031lbl.pdf
- Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Immunosuppressants, tolerogens, and immunostimulants, 12th edition, 2011, 1008.
- KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Immunosuppressant drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 881.
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