Calcineurin inhibitors - ATC code: L04AD02

Tacrolimus monohydrate

Each sachet contains 0.2 mg tacrolimus (as monohydrate). Excipient: Each sachet contains 99.4 mg lactose monohydrate. Each sachet contains 1 mg tacrolimus (as monohydrate). Excipient: Each sachet contains 497 mg lactose monohydrate.

Granules for oral suspension. White granules.

Prophylaxis of transplant rejection in adult and paediatric, kidney, liver or heart allograft recipients.

Treatment of allograft rejection resistant to treatment with other immunosuppressive medicinal products in adult and paediatric patients.

This medicinal product should only be prescribed, and changes in immunosuppressive therapy initiated, by physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and the management of transplant patients. Modigraf is a granular formulation of tacrolimus, for twice-a-day administration. Modigraf therapy requires careful monitoring by adequately qualified and equipped personnel.

Posology

The recommended initial doses presented below are intended to act solely as a guideline. Modigraf is routinely administered in conjunction with other immunosuppressive agents in the initial post-operative period. The dose may vary depending upon the immunosuppressive regimen chosen. Modigraf dosing should primarily be based on clinical assessments of rejection and tolerability in each patient individually aided by blood level monitoring (see below under “Therapeutic drug monitoring”). If clinical signs of rejection are apparent, alteration of the immunosuppressive regimen should be considered.

Careful and frequent monitoring of tacrolimus trough levels is recommended in the first 2 weeks post-transplant to ensure adequate drug exposure in the immediate post-transplant period. As tacrolimus is a substance with low clearance, it may take several days after adjustments to the Modigraf dose regimen before steady state is achieved.

Modigraf should not be switched with Advagraf as a clinically relevant difference in bioavailability between the two formulations cannot be excluded. In general, inadvertent, unintentional or unsupervised switching of immediate- or prolonged-release formulations of tacrolimus is unsafe. This can lead to graft rejection or increased incidence of undesirable effects, including under- or overimmunosuppression, due to clinically relevant differences in systemic exposure to tacrolimus. Patients should be maintained on a single formulation of tacrolimus with the corresponding dosing regimen; alterations in formulation or regimen should only take place under the close supervision of a transplant specialist. Following conversion to any alternative formulation, therapeutic drug monitoring must be performed and dose adjustments made to ensure that systemic exposure to tacrolimus is maintained.

Prophylaxis of kidney transplant rejection

Adults

Oral Modigraf therapy should commence at 0.20 - 0.30 mg/kg/day administered as 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening). Administration should commence within 24 hours after the completion of surgery.

If the dose cannot be administered orally as a result of the clinical condition of the patient, intravenous therapy of 0.05 - 0.10 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) should be initiated as a continuous 24-hour infusion.

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. It is possible in some cases to withdraw concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, leading to tacrolimus-based dual therapy. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Prophylaxis of liver transplant rejection

Adults

Oral Modigraf therapy should commence at 0.10 - 0.20 mg/kg/day administered as 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening). Administration should commence approximately 12 hours after the completion of surgery.

If the dose cannot be administered orally as a result of the clinical condition of the patient, intravenous therapy of 0.01 - 0.05 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) should be initiated as a continuous 24-hour infusion.

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. It is possible in some cases to withdraw concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, leading to tacrolimus monotherapy. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Prophylaxis of heart transplant rejection

Adults

Modigraf can be used with antibody induction (allowing for delayed start of tacrolimus therapy) or alternatively in clinically stable patients without antibody induction.

Following antibody induction, oral Modigraf therapy should commence at a dose of 0.075 mg/kg/day administered as 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening). Administration should commence within 5 days after the completion of surgery as soon as the patient's clinical condition is stabilised. If the dose cannot be administered orally as a result of the clinical condition of the patient, intravenous therapy of 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) should be initiated as a continuous 24-hour infusion.

An alternative strategy was published where oral tacrolimus was administered within 12 hours post transplantation. This approach was reserved for patients without organ dysfunction (e.g. renal dysfunction). In that case, an initial oral tacrolimus dose of 2 to 4 mg per day was used in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids or in combination with sirolimus and corticosteroids.

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Conversion between Modigraf and Prograf tacrolimus formulations

In healthy subjects the systemic exposure to tacrolimus (AUC) for Modigraf was approximately 18% higher than that for Prograf capsules when administered as single doses. There are no safety data available on the use of Modigraf granules following a temporary switch from Prograf or Advagraf in critically ill patients.

Stable allograft recipients maintained on Modigraf granules, requiring conversion to Prograf capsules, should be converted on a 1:1 mg:mg total daily dose basis. If equal doses are not possible, the total daily dose of Prograf should be rounded-up to the nearest amount possible, with the higher dose given in the morning and the lower dose in the evening.

Similarly, for conversion of patients from Prograf capsules to Modigraf granules, the total daily Modigraf dose should preferably be equal to the total daily Prograf dose. If conversion on the basis of equal quantities is not possible, the total daily dose of Modigraf should be rounded down to the nearest total daily dose possible with sachets 0.2 mg and 1 mg.

The total daily dose of Modigraf granules should be administered in 2 equal doses. If equal doses are not possible, then the higher dose should be administered in the morning and the lower dose in the evening. Modigraf sachets must not be used partially.

Example: Total daily dose Prograf capsules given as 1 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg in the evening. Then give a total daily dose of Modigraf 1.4 mg divided as 0.8 mg in the morning and 0.6 mg in the evening.

Tacrolimus trough levels should be measured prior to conversion and within 1 week after conversion. Dose adjustments should be made to ensure that similar systemic exposure is maintained.

Conversion from ciclosporin to tacrolimus

Care should be taken when converting patients from ciclosporin-based to tacrolimus-based therapy. The combined administration of ciclosporin and tacrolimus is not recommended. Tacrolimus therapy should be initiated after considering ciclosporin blood concentrations and the clinical condition of the patient. Dosing should be delayed in the presence of elevated ciclosporin blood levels. In practice, tacrolimus-based therapy has been initiated 12 - 24 hours after discontinuation of ciclosporin. Monitoring of ciclosporin blood levels should be continued following conversion as the clearance of ciclosporin might be affected.

Treatment of allograft rejection

Increased tacrolimus doses, supplemental corticosteroid therapy, and introduction of short courses of mono-/polyclonal antibodies have all been used to manage rejection episodes. If signs of toxicity such as severe adverse reactions are noted, the dose of Modigraf may need to be reduced.

Treatment of allograft rejection after kidney or liver transplantation – adults and paediatric patients

For conversion from other immunosuppressants to twice daily Modigraf, treatment should begin with the initial oral dose recommended for primary immunosuppression.

Treatment of allograft rejection after heart transplantation therapy – adults and paediatric patients

In adult patients converted to Modigraf, an initial oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

In paediatric patients converted to tacrolimus, an initial oral dose of 0.20 - 0.30 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

Treatment of allograft rejection after transplantation of other allografts

The dose recommendations for lung, pancreas and intestinal transplantation are based on limited prospective clinical trial data with the Prograf formulation. Prograf has been used in lung-transplanted patients at an initial oral dose of 0.10 - 0.15 mg/kg/day, in pancreas-transplanted patients at an initial oral dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day and in intestinal transplantation at an initial oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day.

Dose adjustments in special populations

Hepatic impairment

Dose reduction may be necessary in patients with severe liver impairment in order to maintain the blood trough levels within the recommended target range.

Renal impairment

As the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus are unaffected by renal function, no dose adjustment is required. However, owing to the nephrotoxic potential of tacrolimus careful monitoring of renal function is recommended (including serial serum creatinine concentrations, calculation of creatinine clearance and monitoring of urine output).

Race

In comparison to Caucasians, black patients may require higher tacrolimus doses to achieve similar trough levels.

Gender

There is no evidence that male and female patients require different doses to achieve similar trough levels.

Therapeutic drug monitoring

Dosing should primarily be based on clinical assessments of rejection and tolerability in each individual patient aided by whole blood tacrolimus trough level monitoring.

As an aid to optimise dosing, several immunoassays are available for determining tacrolimus concentrations in whole blood. Comparisons of concentrations from the published literature to individual values in clinical practice should be assessed with care and knowledge of the assay methods employed. In current clinical practice, whole blood levels are monitored using immunoassay methods. The relationship between tacrolimus trough levels (C₁₂) and systemic exposure (AUC_0-12) is similar between the 2 formulations Modigraf granules and Prograf capsules.

Blood trough levels of tacrolimus should be monitored during the post-transplantation period. Tacrolimus blood trough levels should be determined approximately 12 hours post-dosing of Modigraf granules, just prior to the next dose. Frequent trough level monitoring in the initial 2 weeks post transplantation is recommended, followed by periodic monitoring during maintenance therapy. Blood trough levels should be monitored at least twice weekly during the early post-transplant period and then periodically during maintenance therapy. Blood trough levels of tacrolimus should also be closely monitored when clinical signs of toxicity or acute rejection are observed, following conversion between Modigraf granules to Prograf capsules, dose adjustments, changes in the immunosuppressive regimen, or co-administration of substances which may alter tacrolimus whole blood concentrations. The frequency of blood level monitoring should be based on clinical needs. As tacrolimus is a substance with low clearance, it may take several days after adjustments to the Modigraf dose regimen before the targeted steady state is achieved.

Data from clinical studies suggests that the majority of patients can be successfully managed if tacrolimus blood trough levels are maintained below 20 ng/ml. It is necessary to consider the clinical condition of the patient when interpreting whole blood levels. In clinical practice, whole blood trough levels have generally been in the range 5 - 20 ng/ml in liver transplant recipients and 10 - 20 ng/ml in kidney and heart transplant patients in the early post-transplant period. During subsequent maintenance therapy, blood concentrations have generally been in the range of 5 - 15 ng/ml in liver, kidney and heart transplant recipients.

Method of administration

It is recommended that the oral daily dose of Modigraf be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

Tacrolimus therapy is generally initiated by the oral route. If necessary, tacrolimus dosing may commence by administering Modigraf granules suspended in water, via nasogastric tubing.

Modigraf granules should generally be administered on an empty stomach or at least 1 hour before or 2 to 3 hours after a meal, to achieve maximal absorption.

The required dose is calculated from the weight of the patient, using the minimum number of sachets possible. Use 2 ml of water (at room temperature) per 1 mg tacrolimus to produce a suspension (up to a maximum of 50 ml, depending on body weight) in a cup. Do not use PVC containing materials. Granules are added to the water and stirred. It is not advised to use any liquids or utensils to empty the sachets. The suspension can be drawn up via a syringe or swallowed directly by the patient. The taste is sweet due to the lactose. Thereafter the cup is rinsed once with the same quantity of water and the rinsings consumed by the patient. The suspension should be administered immediately after preparation.

In patients unable to take oral medicinal products during the immediate post-transplant period, tacrolimus therapy can be initiated intravenously (See Summary of Product Characteristics for Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) at a dose of approximately 1/5^th of the recommended oral dose for the corresponding indication.

Prophylaxis of kidney transplant rejection

Paediatric patients

An initial oral dose of 0.30 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening). If the clinical condition of the patient prevents oral dosing, an initial intravenous dose of 0.075 – 0.100 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) should be administered as a continuous 24-hour infusion.

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. It is possible in some cases to withdraw concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, leading to tacrolimus-based dual therapy. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Prophylaxis of liver transplant rejection

Paediatric patients

An initial oral dose of 0.30 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening). If the clinical condition of the patient prevents oral dosing, an initial intravenous dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) should be administered as a continuous 24-hour infusion.

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. It is possible in some cases to withdraw concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, leading to tacrolimus monotherapy. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Prophylaxis of heart transplant rejection

Paediatric patients

Tacrolimus has been used with or without antibody induction in paediatric heart transplantation.

In patients without antibody induction, if tacrolimus therapy is initiated intravenously, the recommended starting dose is 0.03 - 0.05 mg/kg/day (with Prograf 5 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion) as a continuous 24-hour infusion targeted to achieve tacrolimus whole blood concentrations of 15 - 25 ng/ml. Patients should be converted to oral therapy as soon as clinically practicable. The first dose of oral therapy should be 0.30 mg/kg/day starting 8 to 12 hours after discontinuing intravenous therapy.

Following antibody induction, if Modigraf therapy is initiated orally, the recommended starting dose is 0.10 - 0.30 mg/kg/day administered as 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

Dose adjustment during post-transplant period in adults and paediatric patients

Tacrolimus doses are usually reduced in the post-transplant period. Post-transplant improvement in the condition of the patient may alter the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and may necessitate further dose adjustments.

Treatment of allograft rejection

Increased tacrolimus doses, supplemental corticosteroid therapy, and introduction of short courses of mono-/polyclonal antibodies have all been used to manage rejection episodes. If signs of toxicity such as severe adverse reactions are noted, the dose of Modigraf may need to be reduced.

Treatment of allograft rejection after kidney or liver transplantation – adults and paediatric patients

For conversion from other immunosuppressants to twice daily Modigraf, treatment should begin with the initial oral dose recommended for primary immunosuppression.

Treatment of allograft rejection after heart transplantation therapy – adults and paediatric patients

In adult patients converted to Modigraf, an initial oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

In paediatric patients converted to tacrolimus, an initial oral dose of 0.20 - 0.30 mg/kg/day should be administered in 2 divided doses (e.g. morning and evening).

Dose adjustments in special populations

Paediatric patients

In general, paediatric patients require doses 1½ - 2 times higher than the adult doses to achieve similar blood levels.

There is no evidence currently available to indicate that dosing should be adjusted in elderly patients.

Hypersensitivity to tacrolimus or to any of the excipients.

Hypersensitivity to other macrolides.

There are no safety data available on the use of Modigraf granules following a temporary switch from Prograf or Advagraf in critically ill patients.

Modigraf should not be switched with Advagraf as a clinically relevant difference in bioavailability between the two formulations cannot be excluded. Medication errors, including inadvertent, unintentional or unsupervised substitution of immediate- or prolonged-release tacrolimus formulations, have been observed. This has led to serious adverse events, including graft rejection, or other side effects which could be a consequence of either under- or over-exposure to tacrolimus. Patients should be maintained on a single formulation of tacrolimus with the corresponding daily dosing regimen; alterations in formulations or regimen should only take place under the close supervision of a transplant specialist.

During the initial post-transplant period, monitoring of the following parameters should be undertaken on a routine basis: blood pressure, ECG, neurological and visual status, fasting blood glucose levels, electrolytes (particularly potassium), liver and renal function tests, haematology parameters, coagulation values, and plasma protein determinations. If clinically relevant changes are seen, adjustments of the immunosuppressive regimen should be considered.

When substances with a potential for interaction – particularly strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (such as ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, telithromycin or clarithromycin) or inducers of CYP3A4 (such as rifampicin, rifabutin) – are being combined with tacrolimus, tacrolimus blood levels should be monitored to adjust the tacrolimus dose as appropriate in order to maintain similar tacrolimus exposure.

Herbal preparations containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) should be avoided when taking Modigraf due to the risk of interactions that lead to decrease in blood concentrations of tacrolimus and reduced clinical effect of tacrolimus.

The combined administration of ciclosporin and tacrolimus should be avoided and care should be taken when administering tacrolimus to patients who have previously received ciclosporin.

High potassium intake or potassium-sparing diuretics should be avoided.

Certain combinations of tacrolimus with drugs known to have nephrotoxic or neurotoxic effects may increase the risks of these effects.

Immunosuppressants may affect the response to vaccination and vaccination during treatment with tacrolimus may be less effective. The use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided.

Since levels of tacrolimus in blood may significantly change during diarrhoea episodes, extra monitoring of tacrolimus concentrations is recommended during episodes of diarrhoea.

Cardiac disorders

Ventricular hypertrophy or hypertrophy of the septum, reported as cardiomyopathies, have been observed on rare occasions. Most cases have been reversible, occurring with tacrolimus blood trough concentrations much higher than the recommended maximum levels. Other factors observed to increase the risk of these clinical conditions included pre-existing heart disease, corticosteroid usage, hypertension, renal or hepatic dysfunction, infections, fluid overload, and oedema. Accordingly, high-risk patients, particularly young children and those receiving substantial immunosuppression should be monitored, using such procedures as echocardiography or ECG pre- and post-transplant (e.g. initially at 3 months and then at 9-12 months). If abnormalities develop, dose reduction of Modigraf, or change of treatment to another immunosuppressive agent should be considered. Tacrolimus may prolong the QT interval but at this time lacks substantial evidence for causing Torsades de Pointes. Caution should be exercised in patients with diagnosed or suspected Congenital Long QT Syndrome.

Lymphoproliferative disorders and malignancies

Patients treated with tacrolimus have been reported to develop EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. A combination of immunosuppressives such as antilymphocytic antibodies (e.g. basiliximab, daclizumab) given concomitantly increases the risk of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. EBV-Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA)-negative patients have been reported to have an increased risk of developing lymphoproliferative disorders. Therefore, in this patient group, EBV-VCA serology should be ascertained before starting treatment with Modigraf. During treatment, careful monitoring with EBV-PCR is recommended. Positive EBV-PCR may persist for months and is per se not indicative of lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma.

As with other potent immunosuppressive compounds, the risk of secondary cancer is unknown.

As with other immunosuppressive agents, owing to the potential risk of malignant skin changes, exposure to sunlight and UV light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Patients treated with immunosuppressants, including Modigraf, are at increased risk for opportunistic infections (bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoal). Among these conditions are BK virus associated nephropathy and JC virus associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). These infections are often related to a high total immunosuppressive burden and may lead to serious or fatal conditions that physicians should consider in the differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients with deteriorating renal function or neurological symptoms.

Patients treated with tacrolimus have been reported to develop posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). If patients taking tacrolimus present with symptoms indicating PRES such as headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances, a radiological procedure (e.g. MRI) should be performed. If PRES is diagnosed, adequate blood pressure and seizure control and immediate discontinuation of systemic tacrolimus is advised. Most patients completely recover after appropriate measures are taken.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with tacrolimus. All patients reported risk factors for PRCA such as parvovirus B19 infection, underlying disease or concomitant medications associated with PRCA.

Special populations

There is limited experience in non-Caucasian patients and patients at elevated immunological risk (e.g. retransplantation, evidence of panel reactive antibodies, PRA).

Dose reduction may be necessary in patients with severe liver impairment.

Modigraf granules contain lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.

Systemically available tacrolimus is metabolised by hepatic CYP3A4. There is also evidence of gastrointestinal metabolism by CYP3A4 in the intestinal wall. Concomitant use of substances known to inhibit or induce CYP3A4 may affect the metabolism of tacrolimus and thereby increase or decrease tacrolimus blood levels.

It is recommended to monitor tacrolimus blood levels whenever substance which have the potential to alter CYP3A4 metabolism or otherwise influence tacrolimus blood levels are used concomitantly, and to adjust the tacrolimus dose as appropriate in order to maintain similar tacrolimus exposure.

CYP3A4 inhibitors potentially leading to increased tacrolimus blood levels

Clinically the following substances have been shown to increase tacrolimus blood levels:

Strong interactions have been observed with antifungal agents such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole, the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin or HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir). Concomitant use of these substances may require decreased tacrolimus doses in nearly all patients.

Pharmacokinetics studies have indicated that the increase in blood levels is mainly a result of increase in oral bioavailability of tacrolimus owing to the inhibition of gastrointestinal metabolism. Effect on hepatic clearance is less pronounced.

Weaker interactions have been observed with clotrimazole, clarithromycin, josamycin, nifedipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, danazol, ethinylestradiol, omeprazole and nefazodone.

In vitro the following substances have been shown to be potential inhibitors of tacrolimus metabolism: bromocriptine, cortisone, dapsone, ergotamine, gestodene, lidocaine, mephenytoin, miconazole, midazolam, nilvadipine, norethisterone, quinidine, tamoxifen, troleandomycin.

Grapefruit juice has been reported to increase the blood level of tacrolimus and should therefore be avoided.

Lansoprazole and ciclosporin may potentially inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of tacrolimus and thereby increase tacrolimus whole blood concentrations.

Other interactions potentially leading to increased tacrolimus blood levels

Tacrolimus is extensively bound to plasma proteins. Possible interactions with other medicinal products known to have high affinity for plasma proteins should be considered (e.g., NSAIDs, oral anticoagulants, or oral antidiabetics).

Other potential interactions that may increase systemic exposure of tacrolimus include prokinetic agents (such as metoclopramide and cisapride), cimetidine and magnesium-aluminium-hydroxide.

CYP3A4 inducers potentially leading to decreased tacrolimus blood levels

Clinically the following substances have been shown to decrease tacrolimus blood levels:

Strong interactions have been observed with rifampicin, phenytoin or St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) which may require increased tacrolimus doses in almost all patients. Clinically significant interactions have also been observed with phenobarbital. Maintenance doses of corticosteroids have been shown to reduce tacrolimus blood levels.

High dose prednisolone or methylprednisolone administered for the treatment of acute rejection have the potential to increase or decrease tacrolimus blood levels.

Carbamazepine, metamizole and isoniazid have the potential to decrease tacrolimus concentrations.

Effect of tacrolimus on the metabolism of other medicinal products

Tacrolimus is a known CYP3A4 inhibitor; thus concomitant use of tacrolimus with medicinal products known to be metabolised by CYP3A4 may affect the metabolism of such medicinal products.

The half-life of ciclosporin is prolonged when tacrolimus is given concomitantly. In addition, synergistic/additive nephrotoxic effects can occur. For these reasons, the combined administration of ciclosporin and tacrolimus is not recommended and care should be taken when administering tacrolimus to patients who have previously received ciclosporin.

Tacrolimus has been shown to increase the blood level of phenytoin.

As tacrolimus may reduce the clearance of steroid-based contraceptives leading to increased hormone exposure, particular care should be exercised when deciding upon contraceptive measures.

Limited knowledge of interactions between tacrolimus and statins is available. Clinical data suggest that the pharmacokinetics of statins are largely unaltered by the co-administration of tacrolimus.

Animal data have shown that tacrolimus could potentially decrease the clearance and increase the half-life of pentobarbital and phenazone.

Other interactions which have led to clinically detrimental effects

Concurrent use of tacrolimus with medicinal products known to have nephrotoxic or neurotoxic effects may increase these effects (e.g., aminoglycosides, gyrase inhibitors, vancomycin, sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim, NSAIDs, ganciclovir or aciclovir).

Enhanced nephrotoxicity has been observed following the administration of amphotericin B and ibuprofen in conjunction with tacrolimus.

As tacrolimus treatment may be associated with hyperkalaemia, or may increase pre-existing hyperkalaemia, high potassium intake, or potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. amiloride, triamterene, or spironolactone) should be avoided.

Immunosuppressants may affect the response to vaccination and vaccination during treatment with tacrolimus may be less effective. The use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided.

The adverse reaction profile associated with immunosuppressive agents is often difficult to establish owing to the underlying disease and the concurrent use of multiple medicinal products.

The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions (occurring in > 10% of patients) are tremor, renal impairment, hyperglycaemic conditions, diabetes mellitus, hyperkalaemia, infections, hypertension and insomnia.

Many of the adverse reactions stated below are reversible and/or respond to dose reduction. The frequency of adverse reactions is defined as follows: very common ( 1/10); common ( 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon ( 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare ( 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Infections and infestations

As is well known for other potent immunosuppressive agents, patients receiving tacrolimus are frequently at increased risk for infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal). The course of pre-existing infections may be aggravated. Both generalised and localised infections can occur.

Cases of BK virus associated nephropathy, as well as cases of JC virus associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), have been reported in patients treated with immunosuppressants, including Modigraf.

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (inl. cysts and polyps)

Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of developing malignancies. Benign as well as malignant neoplasms including EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders and skin malignancies have been reported in association with tacrolimus treatment.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Immune system disorders

Allergic and anaphylactoid reactions have been observed in patients receiving tacrolimus.

Endocrine disorders

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Psychiatric disorders

Nervous system disorders

Eye disorders

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Cardiac disorders

Vascular disorders

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders

Hepatobiliary disorders

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Renal and urinary disorders

Reproductive system and breast disorders

General disorders and administration site conditions

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Astellas Pharma Ltd

POM – Prescription Only Medicine

02 April 2012