Tacrolimus: What to Know Before You Take It

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Not Interchangeable with Other Tacrolimus Products-Medication Errors: Instruct patients or caregivers to recognize the appearance of tacrolimus extended-release capsules. ( 5.4 ) New onset diabetes after transplant: Monitor blood glucose. ( 5.5 ) Nephrotoxicity (acute and/or chronic): May occur due to tacrolimus extended-release capsules, drug interactions, concomitant nephrotoxic drugs. Monitor renal function; consider dosage reduction. ( 5.6 ) Neurotoxicity: Including risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), monitor for neurologic abnormalities; reduce dosage or discontinue tacrolimus extended-release capsules. ( 5.7 ) Hyperkalemia: Risk may be increased with other agents associated with hyperkalemia; monitor serum potassium levels. ( 5.8 ) Hypertension: May require antihypertensive therapy; monitor relevant drug interactions. ( 5.9 ) QT prolongation: Consider obtaining electrocardiograms and monitoring electrolytes in patients at high risk. ( 5.11 ) Immunizations: Avoid live vaccines. ( 5.12 ) Pure red cell aplasia: Consider discontinuation of tacrolimus extended-release capsules. ( 5.13 ) Thrombotic Microangiopathy, Including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: May occur, especially in patients with infections and certain concomitant medications. ( 5.14 ) 5.1 Lymphoma and Other Malignancies Immunosuppressants, including tacrolimus extended-release capsules, increase the risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin . The risk appears to be related to the intensity and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent. Examine patients for skin changes and advise to avoid or limit exposure to sunlight and UV light by wearing protective clothing and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), has been reported in immunosuppressed organ transplant patients. The risk of PTLD appears greatest in patients who are EBV seronegative, a population which includes many young children. Monitor EBV serology during treatment. 5.2 Serious Infections Immunosuppressants, including tacrolimus extended-release capsules, increase the risk of developing bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections. These infections may lead to serious, including fatal, outcomes. Serious viral infections reported include: Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (especially due to BK virus infection) JC virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections: CMV seronegative transplant patients who receive an organ from a CMV seropositive donor are at highest risk of CMV viremia and CMV disease. Monitor for the development of infection and adjust the immunosuppressive regimen to balance the risk of rejection with the risk of infection [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 )] . 5.3 Increased Mortality in Female Liver Transplant Patients In a clinical trial of 471 liver transplant patients randomized to tacrolimus extended-release capsules or tacrolimus immediate-release product, mortality at 12 months was 10% higher among the 76 female patients (18%) treated with tacrolimus extended-release capsules compared to the 64 female patients (8%) treated with tacrolimus immediate-release product. Tacrolimus extended-release capsules is not approved for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients who received a liver transplant. 5.4 Not Interchangeable with Other Tacrolimus Products - Medication Errors Medication errors, including substitution and dispensing errors, between tacrolimus immediate-release products and tacrolimus extended-release capsules were reported outside the U.S. This led to serious adverse reactions, including graft rejection, or other adverse reactions due to under- or over-exposure to tacrolimus. Tacrolimus extended-release capsules is not interchangeable or substitutable for tacrolimus extended-release tablets, tacrolimus immediate-release capsules or tacrolimus for oral suspension. Changes between tacrolimus immediate-release and extended-release dosage forms must occur under physician supervision. Instruct patients and caregivers to recognize the appearance of tacrolimus extended-release capsules [see Dosage Forms and Strengths ( 3 )] and to confirm with the healthcare provider if a different product is dispensed or if dosing instructions have changed. 5.5 New Onset Diabetes After Transplant Tacrolimus extended-release capsules caused new onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) in kidney transplant patients, which may be reversible in some patients. African-American and Hispanic kidney transplant patients are at an increased risk. Monitor blood glucose concentrations and treat appropriately [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.8 )] . 5.6 Nephrotoxicity due to Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules and Drug Interactions Tacrolimus extended-release capsules, like other calcineurin-inhibitors, can cause acute or chronic nephrotoxicity in transplant patients due to its vasoconstrictive effect on renal vasculature, toxic tubulopathy and tubular-interstitial effects. Acute renal impairment associated with tacrolimus toxicity can result in high serum creatinine, hyperkalemia, decreased secretion of urea and hyperuricemia, and is usually reversible. In patients with elevated serum creatinine and tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations greater than the recommended range, consider dosage reduction or temporary interruption of tacrolimus administration. The risk for nephrotoxicity may increase when tacrolimus extended-release capsules is concomitantly administered with CYP3A inhibitors (by increasing tacrolimus whole blood concentrations) or drugs associated with nephrotoxicity (e.g., aminoglycosides, ganciclovir, amphotericin B, cisplatin, nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors). When tacrolimus is used concurrently with other known nephrotoxic drugs, monitor renal function and tacrolimus blood concentrations, and adjust dose of both tacrolimus and/or concomitant medications during concurrent use [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )]. 5.7 Neurotoxicity Tacrolimus extended-release capsules may cause a spectrum of neurotoxicities. The most severe neurotoxicities include posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), delirium, seizure and coma; others include tremors, paresthesias, headache, mental status changes, and changes in motor and sensory functions [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 )] . As symptoms may be associated with tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations at or above the recommended range, monitor for neurologic symptoms and consider dosage reduction or discontinuation of tacrolimus extended-release capsules if neurotoxicity occurs. 5.8 Hyperkalemia Mild to severe hyperkalemia, which may require treatment, has been reported with tacrolimus including tacrolimus extended-release capsules. Concomitant use of agents associated with hyperkalemia (e.g., potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers) may increase the risk for hyperkalemia [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Monitor serum potassium levels periodically during treatment. 5.9 Hypertension Hypertension is a common adverse reaction of tacrolimus extended-release capsules therapy and may require antihypertensive therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Some antihypertensive drugs can increase the risk for hyperkalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] . Calcium-channel blocking agents may increase tacrolimus blood concentrations and require dosage reduction of tacrolimus extended-release capsules [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . 5.10 Risk of Rejection with Strong CYP3A Inducers and Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions with Strong CYP3A Inhibitors The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers may increase the metabolism of tacrolimus, leading to lower whole blood trough concentrations and greater risk of rejection. In contrast, the concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors may decrease the metabolism of tacrolimus, leading to higher whole blood trough concentrations and greater risk of serious adverse reactions (e.g., neurotoxicity, QT prolongation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.11 )] . Therefore, adjust tacrolimus extended-release capsules dose and monitor tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations when co-administering tacrolimus extended-release capsules with strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., including, but not limited to, telaprevir, boceprevir, ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin) or strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., including, but not limited to, rifampin, rifabutin) [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . A rapid, sharp rise in tacrolimus levels has been reported after co-administration with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, clarithromycin, despite an initial reduction of tacrolimus dose. Early and frequent monitoring of tacrolimus whole blood trough levels is recommended [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] . 5.11 QT Prolongation Tacrolimus extended-release capsules may prolong the QT/QTc interval and cause Torsades de pointes . Avoid tacrolimus extended-release capsules in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Consider obtaining electrocardiograms and monitoring electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, calcium) periodically during treatment in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, those taking certain antiarrhythmic medications or other products that lead to QT prolongation, and those with electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, or hypomagnesemia). When co-administering tacrolimus extended-release capsules with other substrates and/or inhibitors of CYP3A, especially those that also have the potential to prolong the QT interval, a reduction in tacrolimus extended-release capsules dosage, monitoring of tacrolimus whole blood concentrations, and monitoring for QT prolongation is recommended [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . 5.12 Immunizations Whenever possible, administer the complete complement of vaccines before transplantation and treatment with tacrolimus extended-release capsules. Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during treatment with tacrolimus extended-release capsules (e.g., intranasal influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, BCG, yellow fever, varicella, and TY21a typhoid vaccines). Inactivated vaccines noted to be safe for administration after transplantation may not be sufficiently immunogenic during treatment with tacrolimus extended-release capsules. 5.13 Pure Red Cell Aplasia Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with tacrolimus. All of these patients reported risk factors for PRCA such as parvovirus B19 infection, underlying disease, or concomitant medications associated with PRCA. A mechanism for tacrolimus-induced PRCA has not been elucidated. If PRCA is diagnosed, consider discontinuation of tacrolimus extended-release capsules. 5.14 Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) Including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), have been reported in patients treated with tacrolimus extended-release capsules TMA may have a multifactorial etiology. Risk factors for TMA that can occur in transplant patients include, for example, severe infections, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) mismatch, the use of calcineurin inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. These risk factors may, either alone or combined, contribute to the risk of TMA. In patients with signs and symptoms of TMA, consider tacrolimus as a risk factor. Concurrent use of tacrolimus and mTOR inhibitors may contribute to the risk of TMA. 5.15 Cannabidiol Drug Interactions When cannabidiol and tacrolimus extended-release capsules are co-administered, closely monitor for an increase in tacrolimus blood levels and for adverse reactions suggestive of tacrolimus toxicity. A dose reduction of tacrolimus extended-release capsules should be considered as needed when tacrolimus extended-release capsules is co-administered with cannabidiol [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Drug Interactions (7.3) ] .