Prograf Tacrolimus

[Grey]

Sporti, it was such a pleasure reading your experience, I got a bit of stick for saying that not eating before and after reduces the required dose, but as I said I do not eat for 1 1/2 hours (more or less) each side and I am now on 3 mg a day. Great feedback dear. I will admit the morning abstinence is a bit inconvenient but we eat earlyish in the evenings so the 10pm dose is easy.

[rheaybou]

Isnt Tac absorption rate a funny subject, I dont eat an hour each side of my anti rejection meds and am only on 2mg twice a day. I have net old women who eat when they want on 1mg a day and a guy who runs half marathons on 6mg a day in his early 30's.

My hospital pharmacist advised after reviewing my results that it is the best for me and my very experienced surgeon echoed this.

We are not designed like cars and EVERY SINGLE PERSON lucky enough to have been transplanted will take different amaounts and have varying tac levels....all before we look into hydration levels.

Have a nice day folks

[Tibbs]

The amount you take doesn't matter; it's all about the amount you have in your system.

Certainly I was told I was at the upper end of normal for a white person at 10mg per day (I take them on an empty stomach). At my clinic there are lots of Afro-Carribean transplantees, and the A-C patients often need higher doses. 13mg would be considered normal for an Afro-Carribean person!

[Grey]

Tibbs, I was told at the clinic that Prograf is actually toxic for kidneys but equally the level in your blood is very important. In my opinion the less you have to take the better all round. (I accept that variations can exist between people and race but on the whole I find that people who take their pills on an empty stomach need less to maintain the required levels in the blood. As a matter of interest since you take yours on an empty stomach, what dose are you on.
I quote "Tacrolimus can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys." http://www.rxlist.com/prograf-drug/pati ... ffects.htm

[rheaybou]

The amount you take doesn't matter; it's all about the amount you have in your system.

Certainly I was told I was at the upper end of normal for a white person at 10mg per day (I take them on an empty stomach). At my clinic there are lots of Afro-Carribean transplantees, and the A-C patients often need higher doses. 13mg would be considered normal for an Afro-Carribean person!

It's all down to absorption rates, I could take 100mg, if I only then absorb the required amount for my tac levels to be in the right window then the rest comes out as a poo

[Tibbs]

Tibbs, I was told at the clinic that Prograf is actually toxic for kidneys but equally the level in your blood is very important. In my opinion the less you have to take the better all round. (I accept that variations can exist between people and race but on the whole I find that people who take their pills on an empty stomach need less to maintain the required levels in the blood. As a matter of interest since you take yours on an empty stomach, what dose are you on.
I quote "Tacrolimus can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys." http://www.rxlist.com/prograf-drug/pati ... ffects.htm

I'm on 10mg twice a day.

I've had an FK (tac) profile done (on an empty stomach) and that amount leaves me with the right levels.

The theraputic index of Tacrolimius is very small - at one point my Tacro was put up to 11mg bd and my creatinine spiked almost immediately.

[Grey]

Wow, then I must be very lucky...only 3mg a day total. Anyway I guess the suggestion that it differs between people is absolutely right and guess the initial match etc also has an influence. I was told mine was a "very good match". Good luck all !