Tacrolimus and Itching: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2008

Tacrolimus for Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "Liver transplant 5 years ago. No rejection. Generally comfortable drug. I have experienced small skin cancers, easily treated, no problem. I itch from time to time, not objectionable, and I don't blame it on the drug. Generally thankful for this drug. I am careful about infections because of reduced immunity. Thank you."

• Ann...
• August 5, 2009

Tacrolimus for Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "I started taking 3 mg/day Prograf almost a week ago for my heart transplant. I was on cyclosporin but was having lots of muscle pain and cramps from the cyclosporin. Since starting the Prograf, I've been itching non-stop. It's apparently one of the side effects. I've also gained some fluid in my legs and hands. Another side effect. I hope the itching goes away soon, or I'll have to switch to something else."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2017

Tacrolimus for Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "Itching was bad in lower legs, especially my ankles, for a few months after liver transplant in June 2016. I had hand trembling, where it was hard to write or hold things steady, like utensils, for several months. These cleared up about 3 months out from transplant. Also, though lesser in degree, was dizziness, confusion, tingling in legs, prickly feeling in legs, fatigue, loss of taste, urination about every hour at night. These decreased or ceased after 4 months. I have put back on weight (40 lbs) that I needed to put on and am now stable at a healthy weight. Overall, taking Prograf now, one year out, is good. Though I am having trouble sleeping through the night. I wake up around 3 am and do not get back to sleep until 5-6 am."

• 1Dr...
• November 28, 2017

Tacrolimus for Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "All praises to Prograf. I have not had any problems with rejections. Liver transplant date 2011. I’ve had some itching, and my sleeping is awful. But my main problem follows. I have developed NODM (New Onset Diabetes Management), and I simply cannot lose weight, instead, I am gaining and cannot lose. I exercise at least 1 1/2 hours daily, my diet is excellent, and I'm a model patient. Yet my post-transplant diabetes is out of control. I am hovering around 7.0, and I am literally killing myself exercising, eating right, taking meds correctly, etc. Been seen by four endocrinologists... more oral meds and more insulin. Just this week, I’ve been told to take Glipizide maximum daily dose, Novolog insulin, 9 units x3, Novolin 28U/10U, and Jentadueto."

• Nak...
• January 20, 2018

For Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "I started taking tacrolimus 11 years ago. For the first 2 years, no problems. But then I started having reactions to foods, breaking out in bright red rashes, super hypertensive episodes, like 190/100. Shaking, itching, tongue burning, which goes from bad to bloody awful some days. I start choking, unable to swallow, and a severe rash that came on my face. Had to call the ambulance. It has completely changed my metabolism, where I can't take any other meds without serious reactions."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2021

For Graft Versus Host Disease "The liquid form is sweet! Reminds me of a warm blue popsicle juice. It makes my skin sensitive, and I get nauseous sometimes, but that could be with any of the drugs I'm also on. It is not the worst ever."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

Tacrolimus for Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis "Started taking Prograf in July of 2011 for my heart transplant. Except for some slight itching and for a little fluid in my ankles, this drug has worked wonders."