Tacrolimus tablets 1 mg for transplantation (FK-506, Fujimycin, Graceptor, Advagraf)

General information on Japanese Tacrolimus tablets 1 mg for transplantation (FK-506, Fujimycin, Graceptor, Advagraf)

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan

Active ingredients: tacrolimus hydrate (chemical formula C44H71NO13)

Medical effect: Tacrolimus tablets are effective for the suppression of organ transplant rejection and graft-versus-host reaction.

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for pregnant, possibly pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use in patients with liver disorder, renal disorder, or infections.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or taking any food or supplement containing Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) while taking this medicine. Do not receive vaccination without an approval of your doctor while taking this medicine.

Since the possibility to become infected increases, the patient should wash hands, gargle and regulate their daily life.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop taking the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication or receiving any other treatment, you have to consult with your doctor before use.

Dosage and administration of Tacrolimus tablets 1 mg from Japan for transplantation (FK-506, Fujimycin, Graceptor, Advagraf)

The dosage schedule should be prescribed by doctor in charge. The general regulations are the following:

• For renal transplantation: take 0.15 mg/kg of tacrolimus at a time, 2 times a day from 2 days before transplantation. In the early stage after operation, take 0.15 mg/kg 2 times a day. Subsequently, the dosage should be gradually decreased. The standard maintenance dose is 0.06 mg/kg 2 times a day, but the doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to the patient's symptoms.
• For liver transplantation: initially take 0.15 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day. Subsequently, the dosage should be gradually decreased. The standard maintenance dose is 0.10 mg/kg daily, but the doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to the patient's symptoms.
• For heart transplantation: initially take 0.03-0.15 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day. When tacrolimus is used after development of organ rejection, take 0.075-0.15 mg/kg 2 times a day. Subsequently, the doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to the patient's symptoms. After stable condition is achieved, the dosage should be gradually decreased and maintained at the minimal effective dose.
• For lung transplantation: initially take 0.05-0.15 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day. Subsequently, the doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to the patient's symptoms. After stable condition is achieved, the dosage should be gradually decreased and maintained at the minimal effective dose.
• For pancreas transplantation: initially take 0.15 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day. Subsequently, the dosage should be gradually decreased and maintained at the minimal effective dose.
• For small intestine transplantation: initially take 0.15 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day. Subsequently, the dosage should be gradually decreased and maintained at the minimal effective dose.
• For bone marrow transplantation: take 0.06 mg/kg at a time 2 times a day from 1 day before transplantation. In the early stage of transplantation, take 0.06 mg/kg 2 times a day, then it should be gradually decreased. When used after the development of graft-versus-host reaction, take 0.15 mg/kg 2 times a day. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to the patient's symptoms.

Please note that this preparation contains 1 mg of the active ingredient in one tablet.

How effective are Tacrolimus tablets 1 mg from Japan for transplantation (FK-506, Fujimycin, Graceptor, Advagraf)?

Tacrolimus hydrate is a macrolide with various functions. It was discovered in 1984 from the fermentation broth of a Japanese soil sample that contained the bacteria Streptomyces tsukubaensis. It works by binding to the immunophilin and inhibiting T-lymphocyte signal transduction.

Who should use Tacrolimus tablets 1 mg from Japan?

Tacrolimus tablets are effective for the suppression of organ transplant rejection (kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, small intestine, bone marrow) or graft-versus-host reaction (bone-marrow transplantation only). They inhibit the production of cytokines associated with organ transplant rejection, and thus suppress the refusal response. Studies showed that use of tacrolimus significantly reduced the risks after liver transplantation of death, graft loss, acute rejection and steroid-resistant rejection (V. C. McAlister, E. Haddad et al. “Cyclosporin versus Tacrolimus as Primary Immunosuppressant After Liver Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis”. American Journal of Transplantation, 2006, 6(7): 1578-85).