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Tacrolimus, FK506 Prograf

A macrolide antibiotic Tacrolimus is sold under the trade name Prograf

It was originally termed FK506. [Eur94,The94,SMGT97]

It is important to maintain the Tacrolimus levels post tranpslant between 10-15. The drug is given post op BD and the evening and next morings dose is prescribed once the levels for the day are available.

Drugs which lower the level of Tacrolimus in the blood include phenytoin and barbituates, as these increase the hepatic metabolism of Tacrolimus in the cytochrome p450 apparatus in the liver.

Transplant survival and quality of life are superior in patients on Tacrolimus post renal transplantation than in those on cyclosporine. [RFPH02]



Adrian P. Ireland