Prograf Side Effects

If your healthcare provider prescribes Prograf, it is important to be aware of potentially serious reactions this medication may cause. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you develop serious Prograf side effects, such as seizures, chest pain, or difficulty urinating. Some of the more common problems reported with this drug include diarrhea, headaches, and insomnia.

An Introduction to Prograf Side Effects

As with any medicine, Prograf® (tacrolimus) can cause side effects. Like other immunosuppressants, the side effects can be numerous and potentially serious. Although not everyone who takes the medication will have problems, most people will experience some type of side effect during treatment with Prograf.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Prograf. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Prograf

Prograf has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking Prograf were carefully documented and compared to the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking a different anti-rejection medication. As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group taking the other medicine.
 
In these clinical studies, the most commonly reported Prograf side effects included:
 
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) -- in up to 89 percent of people
  • Diarrhea -- up to 72 percent
  • Increased blood sugar -- up to 70 percent
  • Anemia (low red blood cell counts) -- 65 percent
  • Headaches -- up to 64 percent
  • Insomnia -- up to 64 percent
  • Pain -- up to 63 percent
  • Abdominal (stomach) pain -- up to 59 percent
  • Tremors -- up to 56 percent
  • Kidney problems -- up to 56 percent
  • Weakness or low energy -- up to 52 percent.
 
Other common side effects, occurring in 16 to 49 percent of people, included:
 
  • Low levels of phosphate in the blood
  • Low levels of magnesium in the blood
  • Fever
  • Low white blood cell counts
  • Nausea
  • Infections
  • Tingling, pricking, or a numbing sensation of the skin
  • Swelling of the hands, legs, ankles, or feet
  • Constipation
  • Abnormal liver enzyme tests
  • Itching
  • Decreased appetite
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • High or low levels of potassium in the blood
  • High blood lipids (increased cholesterol)
  • Breathing problems, including shortness of breath and coughing
  • Back pain
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Joint pain
  • A rash
  • Low platelet count
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling in the body (edema)
  • Less frequent urination
  • Low white blood cell counts (leukopenia).
 
Prograf Side Effects Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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