
TACROLIMUS 1MG 100 CAPS
Generic: Tacrolimus
TACROLIMUS 1MG 100 CAPS
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Identification
Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus
BPI Labs LLC
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Administration
CAPSULE
ORAL
ANDA206651
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| TACROLIMUS | 1 mg/1 |
Pharmacological Class
Data sourced from openFDA / DailyMed. For full prescribing information, consult the drug label.
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Clinical Drug Information
Indications & Usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tacrolimus Capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney, or heart transplants, and pediatric patients receiving allogenic liver transplants in combination with other immunosuppressants. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection in Kidney, Liver, or Heart Transplant Tacrolimus Capsules are indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection, in adult patients receiving allogeneic kidney transplant [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] , liver transplant [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )] , and heart transplant [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] , and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver transplants [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2) ] in combination with other immunosuppressants. Additional pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s Prograf (tacrolimus) products. However, due to Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer capsules consistently with or without food.( 2.1) • Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended. ( 2.1 , 2.6 ) • Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. (2.1 ) • See dosage adjustments for African-American patients (2.2) , hepatic and renal impaired. ( 2.4 , 2.5 ) • For complete dosing information, see Full Prescribing Information. ADULT Patient Population Initial Oral Dosage (formulation) Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range Kidney Transplant With azathioprine 0.2 mg/kg/day capsules, divided in two doses, every 12 hours Month 1-3: 7-20 ng/mL Month 4-12: 5-15 ng/mL With MMF/IL-2 receptor antagonist 0.1 mg/kg/day capsules, divided in two doses, every 12 hours Month 1-12: 4-11 ng/mL Liver Transplant With corticosteroids only 0.1-0.15 mg/kg/day capsules, divided in two doses, every 12 hours Month 1-12: 5-20 ng/mL Heart Transplant With azathioprine or MMF 0.075 mg/kg/day capsules, divided in two doses, every 12 hours Month 1-3: 10-20 ng/mL Month ≥ 4: 5-15 ng/mL PEDIATRIC Patient Population Initial Oral Dosage (formulation) Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range Liver Transplant 0.15-0.2 mg/kg/day capsules or 0.2 mg/kg/day oral suspension, divided in two doses, every 12 hours Month 1-12: 5-20 ng/mL MMF= Mycophenolate mofetil 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Tacrolimus should not be used without supervision by a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy. Tacrolimus Capsules are not interchangeable or substitutable for other tacrolimus extended-release products. This is because rate of absorption following the administration of an extended-release tacrolimus product is not equivalent to that of an immediate-release tacrolimus drug product. Under-or overexposure to tacrolimus may result in graft rejection or other serious adverse reactions. Changes between tacrolimus immediate-release and extended-release dosage forms must occur under physician supervision [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Oral Formulations (Capsules) If patients are able to initiate oral therapy, the recommended starting doses should be initiated. Tacrolimus Capsules may be taken with or without food. However, since the presence of food affects the bioavailability of Tacrolimus, if taken with food, it should be taken consistently the same way each time [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)]. General Administration Instructions Patients should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice in combination with Tacrolimus [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . Tacrolimus Capsules should not be used simultaneously with cyclosporine. Tacrolimus Capsules or cyclosporine should be discontinued at least 24 hours before initiating the other. In the presence of elevated Tacrolimus or cyclosporine concentrations, dosing with the other drug usually should be further delayed. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended for all patients receiving TacrolimusCapsules [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )]. 2.2 Dosage Recommendations for Adult Kidney, Liver, or Heart Transplant Patients – Capsules Capsules If patients are able to tolerate oral therapy, the recommended oral starting doses should be initiated. The initial dose of Tacrolimus Capsules should be administered no sooner than 6 hours after transplantation in the liver, heart, or lung transplant patients. In kidney transplant patients, the initial dose of Tacrolimus Capsules may be administered within 24 hours of transplantation, but should be delayed until renal function has recovered. The initial oral Tacrolimus capsule dosage recommendations for adult patients with kidney, liver, or heart transplants and whole blood trough concentration range are shown in Table 1. Perform therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to ensure that patients are within the ranges listed in Table 1. Table 1. Summary of Initial Oral Tacrolimus Capsules Dosage Recommendations and Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range in Adults Patient Population Tacrolimus Capsules* Initial Oral Dosage Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range Kidney Transplant With Azathioprine 0.2 mg/kg/day, divided in two doses, administered every 12 hours Month 1-3: 7-20 ng/mL Month 4-12: 5-15 ng/mL With MMF/IL-2 receptor antagonist† 0.1 mg/kg/day, divided in two doses, administered every 12 hours Month 1-12: 4-11 ng/mL Liver Transplant With corticosteroids only 0.10-0.15 mg/kg/day, divided in two doses, administered every 12 hours Month 1-12: 5-20 ng/mL Heart Transplant With azathioprine or MMF 0.075 mg/kg/day, divided in two doses, administered every 12 hours Month 1-3: 10-20 ng/mL Month ≥ 4: 5-15 ng/mL * African-American patients may require higher doses compared to Caucasians ( see Table 2). † In a second smaller trial, the initial dose of tacrolimus was 0.15-0.2 mg/kg/day and observed tacrolimus concentrations were 6-16 ng/mL during month 1-3 and 5-12 ng/mL during month 4-12 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Dosage should be titrated based on clinical assessments of rejection and tolerability. Tacrolimus Capsules dosages lower than the recommended initial dosage may be sufficient as maintenance therapy. Adjunct therapy with adrenal corticosteroids is recommended early post-transplant. The data in kidney transplant patients indicate that the African-American patients required a higher dose to attain comparable trough concentrations compared to Caucasian patients (Table 2) [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.8 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. Table 2. Comparative Dose and Trough Concentrations Based on Race Time After Transplant Caucasian N=114 African-American N=56 Dose (mg/kg) Trough Concentrations (ng/mL) Dose (mg/kg) Trough Concentrations (ng/mL ) Day 7 0.18 12.0 0.23 10.9 Month 1 0.17 12.8 0.26 12.9 Month 6 0.14 11.8 0.24 11.5 Month 12 0.13 10.1 0.19 11.0 Intravenous Injection Anaphylactic reactions have occurred with injectables containing castor oil derivatives, such as tacrolimus injection. Therefore, monitoring for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )]. 2.3 Dosage Recommendations for Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients Oral formulation (capsules) Pediatric patients, in general, need higher tacrolimus doses compared to adults: the higher dose requirements may decrease as the child grows older. Recommendations for the initial oral dosage for pediatric transplant patients and whole blood trough concentration range are shown in Table 3. Perform TDM to ensure that patients are within the ranges listed in Table 3. Table 3. Summary of Initial Tacrolimus Capsule Dosage Recommendations and Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range in Children Patient Population Initial Tacrolimus Capsule Dosing Whole Blood Trough Concentration Range Pediatric liver transplant patients * 0.15-0.2 mg/kg/day capsules divided in two doses, administered every 12 hours Month 1-12: 5-20 ng/mL * See Clinical Studies ( 14.2 ) , Liver Transplantation. For conversion of pediatric patients from tacrolimus for oral suspension to Tacrolimus Capsules or from Tacrolimus Capsules to tacrolimus for oral suspension, the total daily dose should remain the same. Following conversion from one formulation to another formulation of tacrolimus, therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )] . Additional pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s Prograf (tacrolimus) products. However, due to Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 2.4 Dosage Modification for Patients with Renal Impairment Due to its potential for nephrotoxicity, consider dosing Tacrolimus Capsules at the lower end of the therapeutic dosing range in patients who have received a liver or heart transplant, and have pre-existing renal impairment. Further reductions in dose below the targeted range may be required. In kidney transplant patients with post-operative oliguria, the initial dose of Tacrolimus Capsules should be administered no sooner than 6 hours and within 24 hours of transplantation, but may be delayed until renal function shows evidence of recovery [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) , Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) , and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 2.5 Dosage Modification for Patients with Hepatic Impairment Due to the reduced clearance and prolonged half-life, patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh ≥ 10) may require lower doses of Tacrolimus Capsules. Close monitoring of blood concentrations is warranted. The use of Tacrolimus Capsules in liver transplant recipients experiencing post-transplant hepatic impairment may be associated with increased risk of developing renal insufficiency related to high whole blood concentrations of tacrolimus. These patients should be monitored closely, and dosage adjustments should be considered. Some evidence suggests that lower doses should be used in these patients [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5) , Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 2.6 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentrations in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical parameters is considered an essential aid to patient management for the evaluation of rejection, toxicity, dose adjustments, and compliance. Whole blood trough concentration range can be found in Table 1. Factors influencing frequency of monitoring include but are not limited to hepatic or renal dysfunction, the addition or discontinuation of potentially interacting drugs and the post-transplant time. Blood concentration monitoring is not a replacement for renal and liver function monitoring and tissue biopsies. Data from clinical trials show that tacrolimus whole blood concentrations were most variable during the first week post-transplantation. The relative risks of toxicity and efficacy failure are related to tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations. Therefore, monitoring of whole blood trough concentrations is recommended to assist in the clinical evaluation of toxicity and efficacy failure. Methods commonly used for the assay of tacrolimus include high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC/MS/MS) and immunoassays. Immunoassays may react with metabolites as well as parent compound. Therefore, assay results obtained with immunoassays may have a positive bias relative to results of HPLC/MS. The bias may depend upon the specific assay and laboratory. Comparison of the concentrations in published literature to patient concentrations using the current assays must be made with detailed knowledge of the assay methods and biological matrices employed. Whole blood is the matrix of choice and specimens should be collected into tubes containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant. Heparin anticoagulation is not recommended because of the tendency to form clots on storage. Samples which are not analyzed immediately should be stored at room temperature or in a refrigerator and assayed within 7 days; see assay instructions for specifics. If samples are to be kept longer, they should be deep frozen at -20°C. One study showed drug recovery >90% for samples stored at -20°C for 6 months, with reduced recovery observed after 6 months.
Adverse Reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious and otherwise important adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: Lymphoma and Other Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serious Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] New Onset Diabetes After Transplant [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ] Nephrotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Hyperkalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Anaphylactic Reactions with Tacrolimus Injection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Myocardial Hypertrophy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] Pure Red Cell Aplasia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 )] Thrombotic Microangiopathy, Including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.16) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥15%) were abnormal renal function, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fever, CMV infection, tremor, hyperglycemia, leukopenia, infection, anemia, bronchitis, pericardial effusion, urinary tract infection, constipation, diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, insomnia, paresthesia, peripheral edema, nausea, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperlipemia. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BPI Labs LLC at 1-727-471-0850 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In addition, the clinical trials were not designed to establish comparative differences across study arms with regards to the adverse reactions discussed below. Kidney Transplantation The incidence of adverse reactions was determined in three randomized kidney transplant trials. One of the trials used azathioprine (AZA) and corticosteroids and two of the trials used mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids concomitantly for maintenance immunosuppression. Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in conjunction with azathioprine and corticosteroids following kidney transplantation was assessed in a trial where 205 patients received Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and 207 patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. The trial population had a mean age of 43 years (mean±SD was 43±13 years on Tacrolimus and 44±12 years on cyclosporine arm), the distribution was 61% male, and the composition was White (58%), African-American (25%), Hispanic (12%), and Other (5%). The 12-month post-transplant information from this trial is presented below. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 30%) observed in tacrolimus-treated kidney transplant patients are: infection, tremor, hypertension, abnormal renal function, constipation, diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, insomnia, nausea, hypomagnesemia, urinary tract infection, hypophosphatemia, peripheral edema, asthenia, pain, hyperlipidemia, hyperkalemia, and anemia. Based on reported adverse reaction terms related to decreased renal function, nephrotoxicity was reported in approximately 52% of kidney transplantation patients. Adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 15% of kidney transplant patients treated with Tacrolimus in conjunction with azathioprine are presented below: Table 4. Kidney Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 15% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus in Conjunction with Azathioprine (AZA) Tacrolimus/AZA (N=205) Cyclosporine/AZA (N=207) Nervous System Tremor Headache Insomnia Paresthesia Dizziness 54% 44% 32% 23% 19% 34% 38% 30% 16% 16% Gastrointestinal Diarrhea Nausea Constipation Vomiting Dyspepsia 44% 38% 35% 29% 28% 41% 36% 43% 23% 20% Cardiovascular Hypertension Chest Pain 50% 19% 52% 13% Urogenital Creatinine Increased Urinary Tract Infection 45% 34% 42% 35% Metabolic and Nutritional Hypophosphatemia Hypomagnesemia Hyperlipemia Hyperkalemia Diabetes Mellitus Hypokalemia Hyperglycemia Edema 49% 34% 31% 31% 24% 22% 22% 18% 53% 17% 38% 32% 9% 25% 16% 19% Hemic and Lymphatic Anemia Leukopenia 30% 15% 24% 17% Miscellaneous Infection 45% 49% Peripheral Edema Asthenia Abdominal Pain Pain Fever Back Pain 36% 34% 33% 32% 29% 24% 48% 30% 31% 30% 29% 20% Respiratory System Dyspnea Cough Increased 22% 18% 18% 15% Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 25% 24% Skin Rash Pruritus 17% 15% 12% 7% Two trials were conducted for Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in conjunction with MMF and corticosteroids. In the non-US trial (Study 1), the incidence of adverse reactions was based on 1195 kidney transplant patients that received Tacrolimus (Group C, n=403), or one of two cyclosporine (CsA) regimens (Group A, n=384 and Group B, n=408) in combination with MMF and corticosteroids; all patients, except those in one of the two cyclosporine groups, also received induction with daclizumab. The trial population had a mean age of 46 years (range 17 to 76); the distribution was 65% male, and the composition was 93% Caucasian. The 12-month post-transplant information from this trial is presented below. Adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 10% of kidney transplant patients treated with Tacrolimus in conjunction with MMF in Study 1 [Note: This trial was conducted entirely outside of the United States. Such trials often report a lower incidence of adverse reactions in comparison to U.S. trials] are presented below: Table 5. Kidney Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 10% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus in Conjunction with MMF (Study 1) Tacrolimus Cyclosporine Cyclosporine (Group C) (Group A) (Group B) (N=403) (N=384) (N=408) Diarrhea 25% 16% 13% Urinary Tract Infection 24% 28% 24% Anemia 17% 19% 17% Hypertension 13% 14% 12% Leukopenia 13% 10% 10% Edema Peripheral 11% 12% 13% Hyperlipidemia 10% 15% 13% Key: Group A = CsA/MMF/CS, B = CsA/MMF/CS/Daclizumab, C = Tac/MMF/CS/Daclizumab CsA = Cyclosporine, CS = Corticosteroids, Tac = Tacrolimus, MMF = mycophenolate mofetil In the U.S. trial (Study 2) with Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in conjunction with MMF and corticosteroids, 424 kidney transplant patients received Tacrolimus (n=212) or cyclosporine (n=212) in combination with MMF 1 gram twice daily, basiliximab induction, and corticosteroids. The trial population had a mean age of 48 years (range 17 to 77), the distribution was 63% male, and the composition was White (74%), African-American (20%), Asian (3%) and Other (3%). The 12-month post-transplant information from this trial is presented below. Adverse reactions that occurred in ≥15% of kidney transplant patients treated with tacrolimus in conjunction with MMF in Study 2 are presented below: Table 6. Kidney Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 15% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus in Conjunction with MMF (Study 2) Tacrolimus/MMF Cyclosporine/MMF (N=212) (N=212) Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 44% 26% Nausea 39% 47% Constipation 36% 41% Vomiting 26% 25% Dyspepsia 18% 15% Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications Post-Procedural Pain 29% 27% Incision Site Complication 28% 23% Graft Dysfunction 24% 18% Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Hypomagnesemia 28% 22% Hypophosphatemia 28% 21% Hyperkalemia 26% 19% Hyperglycemia 21% 15% Hyperlipidemia 18% 25% Hypokalemia 16% 18% Nervous System Disorders Tremor 34% 20% Headache 24% 25% Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Anemia 30% 28% Leukopenia 16% 12% Miscellaneous Edema Peripheral 35% 46% Hypertension 32% 35% Insomnia 30% 21% Urinary Tract Infection 26% 22% Blood Creatinine Increased 23% 23% Less frequently observed adverse reactions in kidney transplantation patients are described under the subsection "Less Frequently Reported Adverse Reactions (> 3% and 99% in both the tacrolimus group and the CsA/AZA group. Precautions must be taken when comparing the incidence of adverse reactions in the U.S. trial to that in the European trial. The 12 month post-transplant information from the U.S. trial and from the European trial is presented below. The two trials also included different patient populations and patients were treated with immunosuppressive regimens of differing intensities. Adverse reactions reported in ≥15% in tacrolimus patients (combined trial results) are presented below for the two controlled trials in liver transplantation. The most common adverse reactions (≥40%) observed in tacrolimus-treated liver transplant patients are: tremor, headache, diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, abnormal renal function, abdominal pain, insomnia, paresthesia, anemia, pain, fever, asthenia, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperglycemia. These all occur with oral and IV administration of Tacrolimus and some may respond to a reduction in dosing (e.g., tremor, headache, paresthesia, hypertension). Diarrhea was sometimes associated with other gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea and vomiting. Based on reported adverse reaction terms related to decreased renal function, nephrotoxicity was reported in approximately 40% and 36% of liver transplantation patients receiving Tacrolimus in the U.S. and European randomized trials. Table 7. Liver Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 15% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus U.S. TRIAL EUROPEAN TRIAL T acrolimus (N=250 ) Cyclosporine/AZA (N=250) Tacrolimus (N=264) Cyclosporine/AZA (N=265) Nervous System Headache 64% 60% 37% 26% Insomnia 64% 68% 32% 23% Tremor 56% 46% 48% 32% Paresthesia 40% 30% 17% 17% Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 72% 47% 37% 27% Nausea 46% 37% 32% 27% LFT Abnormal 36% 30% 6% 5% Anorexia 34% 24% 7% 5% Vomiting 27% 15% 14% 11% Constipation 24% 27% 23% 21% Cardiovascular Hypertension 47% 56% 38% 43% Urogenital Kidney Function Abnormal 40% 27% 36% 23% Creatinine Increased 39% 25% 24% 19% BUN Increased 30% 22% 12% 9% Oliguria 18% 15% 19% 12% Urinary Tract Infection 16% 18% 21% 19% Metabolic and Nutritional Hypomagnesemia 48% 45% 16% 9% Hyperglycemia 47% 38% 33% 22% Hyperkalemia 45% 26% 13% 9% Hypokalemia 29% 34% 13% 16% Hemic and Lymphatic Anemia 47% 38% 5% 1% Leukocytosis 32% 26% 8% 8% Thrombocytopenia 24% 20% 14% 19% Miscellaneous Pain 63% 57% 24% 22% Abdominal Pain 59% 54% 29% 22% Asthenia 52% 48% 11% 7% Fever 48% 56% 19% 22% Back Pain 30% 29% 17% 17% Ascites 27% 22% 7% 8% Peripheral Edema 26% 26% 12% 14% Respiratory System Pleural Effusion 30% 32% 36% 35% Dyspnea 29% 23% 5% 4% Atelectasis 28% 30% 5% 4% Skin and Appendages Pruritus 36% 20% 15% 7% Rash 24% 19% 10% 4% Less frequently observed adverse reactions in liver transplantation patients are described under the subsection “Less Frequently Reported Adverse Reactions (> 3% and 140 mg/dL (on two separate occasions) (61%), hypercholesterolemia (57%), hyperlipidemia (34%), WBCs 3% and 3% and <15%) in Liver, Kidney, and Heart Transplant Studies The following adverse reactions were reported in either liver, kidney, and/or heart transplant recipients who were treated with tacrolimus in clinical trials. Nervous System : Abnormal dreams, agitation, amnesia, anxiety, confusion, convulsion, crying, depression, elevated mood, emotional lability, encephalopathy, hemorrhagic stroke, hallucinations, hypertonia, incoordination, monoparesis, myoclonus, nerve compression, nervousness, neuralgia, neuropathy, paralysis flaccid, psychomotor skills impaired, psychosis, quadriparesis, somnolence, thinking abnormal, vertigo, writing impaired Special Senses: Abnormal vision, amblyopia, ear pain, otitis media, tinnitus Gastrointestinal: Cholangitis, cholestatic jaundice, duodenitis, dysphagia, esophagitis, flatulence, gastritis, gastroesophagitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, GGT increase, GI disorder, GI perforation, hepatitis, hepatitis granulomatous, ileus, increased appetite, jaundice, liver damage, esophagitis ulcerative, oral moniliasis, pancreatic pseudocyst, stomatitis Cardiovascular: Abnormal ECG, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, bradycardia, cardiac fibrillation, cardiopulmonary failure, congestive heart failure, deep thrombophlebitis, echocardiogram abnormal, electrocardiogram QRS complex abnormal, electrocardiogram ST segment abnormal, heart failure, heart rate decreased, hemorrhage, hypotension, phlebitis, postural hypotension, syncope, tachycardia, thrombosis, vasodilatation Urogenital: Acute kidney failure, albuminuria, BK nephropathy, bladder spasm, cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, hydronephrosis, kidney failure, kidney tubular necrosis, nocturia, pyuria, toxic nephropathy, urge incontinence, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, vaginitis Metabolic/Nutritional: Acidosis, alkaline phosphatase increased, alkalosis, ALT (SGPT) increased, AST (SGOT) increased, bicarbonate decreased, bilirubinemia, dehydration, GGT increased, gout, healing abnormal, hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypervolemia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypoproteinemia, lactic dehydrogenase increased, weight gain Endocrine: Cushing’s syndrome Hemic/Lymphatic: Coagulation disorder, ecchymosis, hematocrit increased, hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, polycythemia, prothrombin decreased, serum iron decreased Miscellaneous: Abdomen enlarged, abscess, accidental injury, allergic reaction, cellulitis, chills, fall, flu syndrome, generalized edema, hernia, mobility decreased, peritonitis, photosensitivity reaction, sepsis, temperature intolerance, ulcer Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, cramps, generalized spasm, leg cramps, myalgia, myasthenia, osteoporosis Respiratory: Asthma, emphysema, hiccups, lung function decreased, pharyngitis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, rhinitis, sinusitis, voice alteration Skin: Acne, alopecia, exfoliative dermatitis, fungal dermatitis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, hirsutism, neoplasm skin benign, skin discoloration, skin ulcer, sweating Additional pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s Prograf (tacrolimus) products. However, due to Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported from worldwide marketing experience with tacrolimus. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Decisions to include these reactions in labeling are typically based on one or more of the following factors: (1) seriousness of the reaction, (2) frequency of the reporting, or (3) strength of causal connection to the drug. Other reactions include: Cardiovascular: Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, electrocardiogram T wave abnormal, flushing, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, pericardial effusion, QT prolongation, Torsade de Pointes , venous thrombosis deep limb, ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular fibrillation, myocardial hypertrophy Gastrointestinal: Bile duct stenosis, colitis, enterocolitis, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hepatic cytolysis, hepatic necrosis, hepatotoxicity, impaired gastric emptying, liver fatty, mouth ulceration, pancreatitis hemorrhagic, pancreatitis necrotizing, stomach ulcer, veno-occlusive liver disease Hemic/Lymphatic: Agranulocytosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, pure red cell aplasia, thrombotic microangiopathy Infections: Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), sometimes fatal; polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) including graft loss Metabolic/Nutritional: Glycosuria, increased amylase including pancreatitis, weight decreased Miscellaneous: Feeling hot and cold, feeling jittery, hot flushes, multi-organ failure, primary graft dysfunction Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Pain in extremity including Calcineurin-Inhibitor Induced Pain Syndrome (CIPS) Nervous System: Carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral infarction, hemiparesis, leukoencephalopathy, mental disorder, mutism, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), quadriplegia, speech disorder, syncope Respiratory: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung disease, lung infiltration, respiratory distress, respiratory failure Skin: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis Special Senses: Blindness, optic neuropathy, blindness cortical, hearing loss including deafness, photophobia Urogenital: Acute renal failure, cystitis hemorrhagic, hemolytic-uremic syndrome
Information for Patients
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient InformationT). 17.1 Administration Advise the patient or caregiver to: Inspect their Tacrolimus Capsules medicine when they receive a new prescription and before taking it. If the appearance of the capsule is not the same as usual, or if dosage instructions have changed, advise patients to contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure that they have the right medicine. Other tacrolimus products cannot be substituted for Tacrolimus Capsules. Take Tacrolimus Capsules at the same 12-hour intervals every day to achieve consistent blood concentrations. Take Tacrolimus Capsules consistently either with or without food because the presence and composition of food decreases the bioavailability of Tacrolimus. Not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice in combination with Tacrolimus Capsules [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ]. 17.2 Development of Lymphoma and Other Malignancies Inform patients they are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin, due to immunosuppression. Advise patients to limit exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light by wearing protective clothing and using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. 17.3 Increased Risk of Infection Inform patients they are at increased risk of developing a variety of infections, including opportunistic infections, due to immunosuppression and to contact their physician if they develop any symptoms of infection such as fever, sweats or chills, cough or flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, or warm, red, painful areas on the skin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 )]. 17.4 New Onset Diabetes After Transplant Inform patients that Tacrolimus Capsules can cause diabetes mellitus and should be advised to contact their physician if they develop frequent urination, increased thirst, or hunger [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. 17.5 Nephrotoxicity Inform patients that tacrolimus can have toxic effects on the kidney that should be monitored. Advise patients to attend all visits and complete all blood tests ordered by their medical team [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. 17.6 Neurotoxicity Inform patients that they are at risk of developing adverse neurologic reactions including seizure, altered mental status, and tremor. Advise patients to contact their physician should they develop vision changes, delirium, or tremors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. 17.7 Hyperkalemia Inform patients that Tacrolimus can cause hyperkalemia. Monitoring of potassium levels may be necessary, especially with concomitant use of other drugs known to cause hyperkalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )]. 17.8 Hypertension Inform patients that Tacrolimus can cause high blood pressure which may require treatment with antihypertensive therapy. Advise patients to monitor their blood pressure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )]. 17.9 Thrombotic Microangiopathy Inform patients that Tacrolimus can cause blood clotting problems. The risk of this occurring increases when patients take Tacrolimus and sirolimus or everolimus concomitantly, or when patients develop certain infections. Advise them to seek medical attention promptly if they develop fever, petequiae or bruises, fatigue, confusion, jaundice, oliguria. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.16 )]. 17.10 Drug Interactions Instruct patients to tell their health care providers when they start or stop taking any medicines, including prescription medicines and nonprescription medicines, natural or herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and vitamins. Advise patients to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. 17.11 Pregnancy, Lactation and Infertility Inform women of childbearing potential that tacrolimus can harm the fetus. Instruct male and female patients to discuss with their healthcare provider family planning options including appropriate contraception. Also, discuss with pregnant patients the risks and benefits of breastfeeding their infant [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.2 , 8.3 )]. Encourage female transplant patients who become pregnant and male patients who have fathered a pregnancy, exposed to immunosuppressants including tacrolimus, to enroll in the voluntary Transplantation Pregnancy Registry International. To enroll or register, patients can call the toll free number 1-877-955-6877 or https://www.transplantpregnancyregistry.org/ [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. Based on animal studies, tacrolimus may affect fertility in males and females [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )]. 17.12 Myocardial Hypertrophy Inform patients to report symptoms of tiredness, swelling, and/or shortness of breath (heart failure). 17.13 Immunizations Inform patients that tacrolimus can interfere with the usual response to immunizations and that they should avoid live vaccines [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.14 )]. Distributed By: BPI Labs, LLC 12393 Belcher Road S, Suite 450, Largo, FL 33773, USA L54I-BPI R-2407 Revised: July 2024
Clinical data sourced from openFDA drug labeling. For complete prescribing information, consult the full drug label.