Drug profile
Tacrolimus
Adult, child, renal, hepatic, pregnancy and breastfeeding information, with the source named on every line.
DRUG INFORMATION
ADULT
- Dose at 0.1 mg/kg/day if antibody induction treatment is administered. 2.1
Important Administration Instructions Tacrolimus capsules should not be used
without supervision by a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- In a second smaller trial, the initial dose of tacrolimus was 0.15 to 0.2
mg/kg/day and observed tacrolimus concentrations were 6 to 16 ng/mL. during month
1 to 3 and 5 to 12 ng/mL during month 4 to 12 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )].
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- The recommended starting dose of tacrolimus injection is 0.03 to 0.05 mg/kg/day in
kidney or liver transplant, 0.01 mg/kg/day in heart transplant, given as a
continuous intravenous infusion.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
CHILD
- Safety and effectiveness have been established in pediatric liver, kidney, and
heart transplant patients. Liver Transplantation Safety and efficacy using
tacrolimus in pediatric de novo liver transplant patients less than 16 years of
age are based on evidence from active controlled studies that included 56
pediatric patients, 31 of which received tacrolimus, and supported by two
pharmacokinetic and safety studies in 151 children who received tacrolimus.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'pediatric use',
retrieved 2026-08-29
- Intravenous (IV) use recommended for patients who cannot tolerate oral
formulations (capsules). ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Administer capsules consistently with or
without food. ( 2.1 ) Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended. ( 2.1 , 2.6 )
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. ( 2.1 ) See dosage
adjustments for African-American patients ( 2.2 ), hepatic and renal impaired.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- Dose at 0.1 mg/kg/day if antibody induction treatment is administered. 2.1
Important Administration Instructions Tacrolimus capsules should not be used
without supervision by a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
RENAL IMPAIRMENT
- However, due to Astellas Pharma US, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug
product is not labeled with that information. 2.4 Dosage Modification for Patients
with Renal Impairment Due to its potential for nephrotoxicity, consider dosing
tacrolimus capsules at the lower end of the therapeutic dosing range in patients
who have received a liver, or heart transplant, and have pre-existing renal
impairment.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- The use of tacrolimus capsules in liver transplant recipients experiencing post-
transplant hepatic impairment may be associated with increased risk of developing
renal insufficiency related to high whole blood concentrations of tacrolimus.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually
starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of
decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other
drug therapy. 8.6 Renal Impairment The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in patients
with renal impairment was similar to that in healthy volunteers with normal renal
function.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'use in specific
populations', retrieved 2026-08-29
HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
- In kidney transplant patients with post-operative oliguria, the initial dose of
tacrolimus capsules should be administered no sooner than 6 hours and within 24
hours of transplantation, but may be delayed until renal function shows evidence
of recovery [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5
), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- The use of tacrolimus capsules in liver transplant recipients experiencing post-
transplant hepatic impairment may be associated with increased risk of developing
renal insufficiency related to high whole blood concentrations of tacrolimus.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'dosage and
administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
- Further reductions in dose below the targeted range may be required [see Dosage
and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 8.7 Hepatic
Impairment The mean clearance of tacrolimus was substantially lower in patients
with severe hepatic impairment (mean Child-Pugh score: >10) compared to healthy
volunteers with normal hepatic function.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'use in specific
populations', retrieved 2026-08-29
PREGNANCY
- Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy
outcomes in women exposed to tacrolimus during pregnancy.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
2026-08-29
- The Transplantation Pregnancy Registry International (TPRI) is a voluntary
pregnancy exposure registry that monitors outcomes of pregnancy in female
transplant recipients and those fathered by male transplant recipients exposed to
immunosuppressants including tacrolimus.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
2026-08-29
- Healthcare providers are encouraged to advise their patients to register by
contacting the Transplantation Pregnancy Registry International at 1-877-955-6877
or https://www.transplantpregnancyregistry.org/ .
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
2026-08-29
BREASTFEEDING
- Contraception Tacrolimus can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'nursing mothers',
retrieved 2026-08-29
- Advise female and male patients of reproductive potential to speak to their
healthcare provider on family planning options including appropriate contraception
prior to starting treatment with tacrolimus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1
) and Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] .
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'nursing mothers',
retrieved 2026-08-29
- Infertility Based on findings in animals, male and female fertility may be
compromised by treatment with tacrolimus [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )].
Source: US FDA label for tacrolimus (Tacrolimus), section 'nursing mothers',
retrieved 2026-08-29