Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between Phillips Colon Health and tacrolimus

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

lactobacillus acidophilus tacrolimus

Applies to: Phillips Colon Health (bifidobacterium infantis / lactobacillus acidophilus) and tacrolimus

MONITOR: Probiotic use during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy may theoretically increase the risk of infections from the live microorganisms contained in probiotic products. Patients may be immunosuppressed if they have recently received or are receiving alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents, or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. Although probiotics are generally considered safe, with minimal to low pathogenicity, infections such as bacteremia and endocarditis with various strains commonly found in probiotics (e.g., lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, Bacillus subtilis) have been rarely reported, primarily in critically ill patients or patients with significant underlying medical conditions such as malignancy, organ transplantation, AIDS, valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, recent surgery, or compromised immune system. Lactobacillus bacteremia has also been reported following endoscopy. In addition, cases of lactobacillus pneumonia and liver abscess, as well as Saccharomyces fungemia, pneumonia, liver abscess, peritonitis and vaginitis, have been described in the medical literature.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when probiotics are used during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy. It may be advisable to avoid using probiotics, particularly products containing saccharomyces boulardii, in patients who are significantly immunosuppressed unless benefits are anticipated to outweigh the potential risk of infection.

References (12)
  1. Salminen MK, Rautelin H, Tynkkynen S, et al. (2004) "Lactobacillus bacteremia, clinical significance, and patient outcome, with special focus on probiotic L. rhamnosus GG." Clin Infect Dis, 38, p. 62-9
  2. Salminen MK, Tynkkynen S, Rautelin H, et al. (2002) "Lactobacillus bacteremia during a rapid increase in probiotic use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Finland." Clin Infect Dis, 35, p. 1155-60
  3. Rautio M, Jousimies-Somer H, Kauma H, et al. (1999) "Liver abscess due to a Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain indistinguishable from L. rhamnosus strain GG." Clin Infect Dis, 28, p. 1159-60
  4. Schlegel L, Lemerle S, Geslin P (1998) "Lactobacillus species as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients." Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 17, p. 887-8
  5. Saxelin M, Chuang NH, Chassy B, et al. (1996) "Lactobacilli and bacteremia in southern Finland, 1989-1992" Clin Infect Dis, 22, p. 564-6
  6. Husni RN, Gordon SM, Washington JA, Longworth DL (1997) "Lactobacillus bacteremia and endocarditis: review of 45 cases." Clin Infect Dis, 25, p. 1048-55
  7. Oggioni MR, Pozzi G, Valensin PE, Galieni P, Bigazzi C (1998) "Recurrent septicemia in an immunocompromised patient due to probiotic strains of Bacillus subtilis." J Clin Microbiol, 36, p. 325-6
  8. Mackay AD, Taylor MB, Kibbler CC, Hamilton-Miller JM (1999) "Lactobacillus endocarditis caused by a probiotic organism." Clin Microbiol Infect, 5, p. 290-2
  9. Borriello SP, Hammes WP, Holzapfel W, et al. (2003) "Safety of probiotics that contain lactobacilli or bifidobacteria." Clin Infect Dis, 36, p. 775-80
  10. Lolis N, Veldekis D, Moraitou H, et al. (2008) "Saccharomyces boulardii fungaemia in an intensive care unit patient treated with caspofungin." Crit Care, 12, epub
  11. Boyle RJ, Robins-Browne RM, Tang ML (2006) "Probiotic use in clinical practice: what are the risks?" Am J Clin Nutr, 83, p. 1256-64
  12. Pruccoli G, Silvestro E, Napoleone CP, Aidala E, Garazzino S, Scolfaro C (2024) Are probiotics safe? Bifidobacterium bacteremia in a child with severe heart failure. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333853508_Are_probiotics_safe_Bifidobacterium_bacteremia_in_a_child_with_severe_heart_failure
Moderate

tacrolimus bifidobacterium infantis

Applies to: tacrolimus and Phillips Colon Health (bifidobacterium infantis / lactobacillus acidophilus)

MONITOR: Probiotic use during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy may theoretically increase the risk of infections from the live microorganisms contained in probiotic products. Patients may be immunosuppressed if they have recently received or are receiving alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents, or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. Although probiotics are generally considered safe, with minimal to low pathogenicity, infections such as bacteremia and endocarditis with various strains commonly found in probiotics (e.g., lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, Bacillus subtilis) have been rarely reported, primarily in critically ill patients or patients with significant underlying medical conditions such as malignancy, organ transplantation, AIDS, valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, recent surgery, or compromised immune system. Lactobacillus bacteremia has also been reported following endoscopy. In addition, cases of lactobacillus pneumonia and liver abscess, as well as Saccharomyces fungemia, pneumonia, liver abscess, peritonitis and vaginitis, have been described in the medical literature.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when probiotics are used during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy. It may be advisable to avoid using probiotics, particularly products containing saccharomyces boulardii, in patients who are significantly immunosuppressed unless benefits are anticipated to outweigh the potential risk of infection.

References (12)
  1. Salminen MK, Rautelin H, Tynkkynen S, et al. (2004) "Lactobacillus bacteremia, clinical significance, and patient outcome, with special focus on probiotic L. rhamnosus GG." Clin Infect Dis, 38, p. 62-9
  2. Salminen MK, Tynkkynen S, Rautelin H, et al. (2002) "Lactobacillus bacteremia during a rapid increase in probiotic use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Finland." Clin Infect Dis, 35, p. 1155-60
  3. Rautio M, Jousimies-Somer H, Kauma H, et al. (1999) "Liver abscess due to a Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain indistinguishable from L. rhamnosus strain GG." Clin Infect Dis, 28, p. 1159-60
  4. Schlegel L, Lemerle S, Geslin P (1998) "Lactobacillus species as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients." Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 17, p. 887-8
  5. Saxelin M, Chuang NH, Chassy B, et al. (1996) "Lactobacilli and bacteremia in southern Finland, 1989-1992" Clin Infect Dis, 22, p. 564-6
  6. Husni RN, Gordon SM, Washington JA, Longworth DL (1997) "Lactobacillus bacteremia and endocarditis: review of 45 cases." Clin Infect Dis, 25, p. 1048-55
  7. Oggioni MR, Pozzi G, Valensin PE, Galieni P, Bigazzi C (1998) "Recurrent septicemia in an immunocompromised patient due to probiotic strains of Bacillus subtilis." J Clin Microbiol, 36, p. 325-6
  8. Mackay AD, Taylor MB, Kibbler CC, Hamilton-Miller JM (1999) "Lactobacillus endocarditis caused by a probiotic organism." Clin Microbiol Infect, 5, p. 290-2
  9. Borriello SP, Hammes WP, Holzapfel W, et al. (2003) "Safety of probiotics that contain lactobacilli or bifidobacteria." Clin Infect Dis, 36, p. 775-80
  10. Lolis N, Veldekis D, Moraitou H, et al. (2008) "Saccharomyces boulardii fungaemia in an intensive care unit patient treated with caspofungin." Crit Care, 12, epub
  11. Boyle RJ, Robins-Browne RM, Tang ML (2006) "Probiotic use in clinical practice: what are the risks?" Am J Clin Nutr, 83, p. 1256-64
  12. Pruccoli G, Silvestro E, Napoleone CP, Aidala E, Garazzino S, Scolfaro C (2024) Are probiotics safe? Bifidobacterium bacteremia in a child with severe heart failure. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333853508_Are_probiotics_safe_Bifidobacterium_bacteremia_in_a_child_with_severe_heart_failure

Drug and food/lifestyle interactions

Major

tacrolimus food/lifestyle

Applies to: tacrolimus

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of tacrolimus. The proposed mechanism for the interaction is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Inhibition of hepatic CYP450 3A4 may also contribute. Although clinical data are lacking, this interaction may result in increased risk of serious adverse reactions such as nephro- and neurotoxicity, as well as other adverse effects associated with tacrolimus such as malignancies, infections, diabetes, hyperkalemia, hypertension, and QT prolongation.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may modify the rate of tacrolimus release from extended release formulations, thereby potentially increasing the risk of serious adverse reactions.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration with food decreases the rate and extent of tacrolimus absorption. This effect is greatest after a high-fat meal.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should avoid consumption of food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with tacrolimus. Concomitant use of tacrolimus, especially extended release formulations, with alcohol should also be avoided. Tacrolimus extended release formulations should be administered on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and tacrolimus immediate release formulations should be taken consistently every day with or without food.

References (18)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Prograf (tacrolimus)." Fujisawa
  2. Hooks MA (1994) "Tacrolimus, a new immunosuppressant--a review of the literature." Ann Pharmacother, 28, p. 501-11
  3. (2022) "Product Information. Adoport (tacrolimus)." Sandoz Ltd
  4. (2024) "Product Information. TACrolimus (Sandoz) (TACrolimus)." Sandoz Pty Ltd
  5. (2023) "Product Information. Prograf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma US, Inc
  6. (2023) "Product Information. Astagraf XL (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma US, Inc
  7. (2025) "Product Information. Envarsus XR (tacrolimus)." Veloxis Pharmaceuticals
  8. (2024) "Product Information. Prograf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Canada Inc
  9. (2024) "Product Information. Advagraf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Canada Inc
  10. (2024) "Product Information. Envarsus PA (tacrolimus)." Endo Operations LTD
  11. (2024) "Product Information. Dailiport (tacrolimus)." Sandoz Ltd
  12. (2025) "Product Information. Prograf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Ltd
  13. (2025) "Product Information. Envarsus (tacrolimus)." Chiesi Ltd
  14. (2025) "Product Information. Advagraf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Ltd
  15. (2025) "Product Information. Modigraf (tacrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Ltd
  16. (2024) "Product Information. Advagraf XL (TACrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Australia Pty Ltd
  17. (2024) "Product Information. proGRAF (TACrolimus)." Astellas Pharma Australia Pty Ltd
  18. (2024) "Product Information. TACrolimus XR (Sandoz) (TACrolimus)." Sandoz Pty Ltd

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer