Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Alternate Name: Protopic

Dosage Form: Tube

Administration Route: On the skin

Drug Class: Antipsoriatic

Generic Available: Yes

Strength: 0.1 %

Warnings: This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds. Limit your time in the sun as much as possible. Cover the treated areas of your skin with loose clothing if you must be outside. Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, mononucleosis (mono), weakened immune system, or a history of an organ transplant. Tell your doctor if you have a skin infection, skin cancer, lymphoma, or skin absorption problems (such as lamellar ichthyosis, graft versus host disease, erythroderma, or Netherton syndrome). This medicine should not be used continuously for a long time. When the rash is gone, stop using the medicine. If your doctors says it is okay, you may start using the medicine again if the rash comes back, but you should allow time in between treatments. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 6 weeks. Rarely, patients who have used the oral or topical forms of this medicine have developed skin cancer or lymphoma. It is not known if this was related to the medcine. This medicine may increase your chances of catching chicken pox, shingles, or herpes virus (including cold sores). Avoid people who have these infections. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to one of these illnesses. Topical application routeDo not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined. This medicine may make you sick if it is not used correctly. Call a doctor or poison control center right away if you accidentally swallow this medicine.

Food Warnings: Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), tacrolimus capsules (Prograf®), an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Ery-tab®), or an antifungal medicine such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®. Tell your doctor if you are also using blood pressure medicines such as diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil, Adalat®, Calan®, Cardizem®, Lotrel®, Plendil®, or Procardia®., Make sure your doctor knows if you are receiving any type of UV (ultraviolet) light treatment or phototherapy., Alcohol may cause flushing or redness in your face., Rarely, patients who have used the oral or topical forms of this medicine have developed skin cancer or lymphoma. It is not known if this was related to the medcine., Topical application routeDo not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined., This medicine may increase your chances of catching chicken pox, shingles, or herpes virus (including cold sores). Avoid people who have these infections. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to one of these illnesses., This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds. Limit your time in the sun as much as possible. Cover the treated areas of your skin with loose clothing if you must be outside., This medicine may make you sick if it is not used correctly. Call a doctor or poison control center right away if you accidentally swallow this medicine.