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Precautions
The effects of tacrolimus may cause increased infections and delayed healing. Dental work, whenever possible, should be completed prior to beginning this medicine.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Your doctor will want to do laboratory tests to make sure that tacrolimus is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Tacrolimus may increase your risk for getting skin cancer when exposed to sunlight.
- Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM if possible.
- Wear protective clothing , including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses
- Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. If you have questions about this, check with your health care professional.
- Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
- Do not use a sun lamp or a tanning bed.
- If you notice any unusual changes to your skin, check with your doctor.
While you are taking tacrolimus, it is important to maintain good dental hygiene and see a dentist regularly for teeth cleaning.
Raw oysters or other shellfish may contain bacteria that can cause serious illness, and possibly death. This is more likely to be a problem if these foods are eaten by patients with certain medical conditions. Even eating oysters from "clean" water or good restaurants does not guarantee that the oysters do not contain the bacteria. Symptoms of this infection include sudden chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, blood poisoning, and sometimes death. Eating raw shellfish is not a problem for most healthy people; however, patients with the following conditions may be at greater risk: cancer, immune disorders, organ transplantation, long-term corticosteroid use (as for asthma, arthritis, or organ transplantation), liver disease (including viral hepatitis), excess alcohol intake (2 to 3 drinks or more per day), diabetes, stomach problems (including previous stomach surgery and low stomach acid), and hemochromatosis (an iron disorder). Do not eat raw oysters or other shellfish while you are taking tacrolimus. Be sure oysters and shellfish are fully cooked.
While you are being treated with tacrolimus, and after you stop treatment with it, it is important to see your doctor about the immunizations (vaccinations) you should receive. Do not get any immunizations without your doctor's approval. Tacrolimus lowers your body's resistance. For some immunizations, there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. For other immunizations, it may be especially important to receive the immunization to prevent a disease. In addition, other persons living in your house should not take oral poliovirus vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the poliovirus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have recently taken oral poliovirus vaccine. Do not get close to them, and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
Treatment with tacrolimus may also increase the chance of getting other infections. If you can, avoid people with colds or other infections. If you think you are getting a cold or other infection, check with your doctor.
Tacrolimus is not available in all countries. If you are traveling to another country, be sure you will have an adequate supply of your medicine.
