Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus (PROGRAF) is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent the immune system rejecting a kidney transplant in adults and children. This listing includes Protopic and Prograf.
Key points
- Extended-release products: PROGRAF is not interchangeable with extended-release tacrolimus products, as dispensing errors have caused serious harm, including graft rejection.
- Serious infections and malignancies: PROGRAF carries a boxed warning for increased risks that may lead to hospitalisation or death.
- Kidney damage: Tacrolimus can cause acute or chronic kidney damage through its effects on blood vessels in the kidneys.
How tacrolimus works
Inside immune cells, tacrolimus binds to a protein called FKBP-12. In PROGRAF, this blocks calcineurin, an enzyme involved in immune signalling, and reduces production of cytokines, chemical messengers that activate immune responses.
Further reading
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