Advagraf, 5 mg 50 pcs.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: immunosuppressive agent

ATX code: [L04AD02]

Pharmacological properties

Pharmacodynamics
At the molecular level, the effects and intracellular cumulation of tacrolimus are due to binding to the cytosolic protein (FKBP 12). The FKBP 12-tacrolimus complex specifically and competitively inhibits calcineurin, providing calcium-dependent blocking of T-cell signaling pathways and preventing transcription of a discrete series of lymphokine genes.

Tacrolimus is a highly active immunosuppressant. In in vitro and in vivo experiments tacrolimus clearly reduced the formation of cytotoxic lymphocytes that play a key role in the transplant rejection reaction. Tacrolimus suppresses formation of lymphokines (interleukin -2, -3, γ-interferon), T-cell activation, interleukin-2 receptor expression, and T-helper-dependent B-cell proliferation.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

In humans, tacrolimus has been found to be rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Advagraf, sustained release capsules is a dosage form that provides prolonged absorption of tacrolimus in the gastrointestinal tract.

The average time to reach Cmax is about 2 hours. Absorption of tacrolimus is variable (absorption variability in adult patients is 6-43%). Bioavailability of tacrolimus when taken orally as capsules is on average 20-25%. Bioavailability as well as the rate and degree of absorption of tacrolimus is reduced when concomitantly taken with food.

The nature of biliary excretion does not affect absorption of the drug. There is a high correlation between AUC and minimum (C0) tacrolimus concentrations in blood after equilibrium tacrolimus concentrations are reached when Advagraf is taken. Therefore, monitoring of minimum (C0) tacrolimus concentrations in the blood provides an indication of systemic exposure to the drug.

Distribution and elimination

The distribution of tacrolimus in the human body after intravenous administration is biphasic. In the systemic bloodstream tacrolimus binds well to erythrocytes.
The ratio of tacrolimus concentrations in whole blood to plasma is ≈ 20:1. A significant proportion of plasma tacrolimus (> 98.8%) is bound to plasma proteins (serum albumin, α-1-acid glycoprotein).
Tacrolimus is widely distributed in the body. The steady-state volume of distribution taking into account plasma concentrations is about 1,300 liters (in healthy people). The same figure, calculated from whole blood, is on average 47.6 liters.

Tacrolimus is a substance with low clearance. In healthy people, the average total clearance calculated from whole blood concentrations is 2.25 L/hour. In adult patients after liver, kidney, and heart transplantation, clearance values were 4.1 L/hour, 6.7 L/hour, and 3.9 L/hour, respectively. Low hematocrit and hypoproteinemia contribute to an increase in the unbound fraction of tacrolimus, accelerating tacrolimus clearance. Corticosteroids used in transplantation can also increase metabolic rate and accelerate tacrolimus clearance.

The half-life of tacrolimus is long and variable. In healthy people, the average half-life in whole blood is about 43 hours.

Metabolism and biotransformation

Tacrolimus is actively metabolized in the liver, mainly by cytochrome P450 CYP3A4. Tacrolimus is metabolized intensively in the intestinal wall. Several metabolites of tacrolimus have been identified. In in vitro experiments it was shown that only one of the metabolites has immunosuppressive activity close to that of tacrolimus.

The other metabolites were characterized by weak immunosuppressive activity or its absence. Only one of the tacrolimus metabolites was detected in the systemic bloodstream in low concentrations. Thus, the pharmacological activity of the drug is almost independent of the metabolites.

Excretion

After intravenous and oral administration of 14C-labeled tacrolimus, most of the radioactivity was detected in the feces. Approximately 2% of the radioactivity was detected in the urine. In the urine and feces, about 1% of tacrolimus was detected unchanged. Consequently, tacrolimus was almost completely metabolized before elimination: the main route of elimination was bile.

Indications

Active ingredient

Composition

How to take, the dosage

Advagraff® is an oral form of tacrolimus to be taken once daily. Treatment with Advagraf® requires close monitoring by appropriately trained and equipped personnel. Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy in transplant patients should prescribe this medication.

The uncontrolled transfer of patients from one tacrolimus medication to another (including switching from conventional capsules to sustained release capsules) is unsafe. This may lead to graft rejection or increased incidence of side effects, including hypo- or hyperimmunosuppression, due to clinically significant differences in tacrolimus exposure. The patient should take one of the dosage forms of tacrolimus according to the recommended dosing regimen. Changing the dosage form or dosing regimen should only be performed under the supervision of a transplant specialist. After transfer, tacrolimus blood concentrations should be monitored closely and the dose of the drug adjusted to maintain systemic tacrolimus exposure at an adequate level.

The initial doses presented below should be considered recommendations only. In the initial postoperative period, Advagraf® is usually used in combination with other immunosuppressants. The dose may vary depending on the immunosuppressive therapy regimen. The choice of the dose of Advagraf® should be based primarily on the clinical evaluation of the risk of rejection and individual tolerance of the drug, as well as on the data of tacrolimus blood concentration monitoring (see section “Recommendations for monitoring therapeutic tacrolimus blood concentrations” below).

If clinical signs of rejection occur, consideration should be given to the need to adjust the immunosuppressive therapy regimen.

In patients after de novo kidney and liver transplantation, the PFC0-24 of tacrolimus on day 1 of use of Advagraf® was 30% and 50% lower, respectively, compared to equivalent doses of Prograf. By day 4, the systemic tacrolimus exposure, assessed by Co, when using Prograf and Advagraf® in patients after liver and kidney transplantation was similar. In order to ensure adequate tacrolimus exposure during treatment with Advagraf® during the first two weeks after transplantation, regular and careful monitoring of the minimum (Co) concentration of tacrolimus in blood is recommended. Since tacrolimus is a low clearance substance, it may take several days to reach equilibrium concentrations after adjusting the dose of Advagraf®.
For patients who are unable to take the drug orally immediately after transplantation, tacrolimus may be administered intravenously (Prograf® 5 mg/ml, concentrate for preparation of intravenous solution) at a dose that is approximately one fifth of the recommended oral dose for that indication.

How to use

The daily oral dose of Advagraf® is recommended once daily in the morning. Administration of sustained-release capsules of Advagraf® is immediate after taking them out of blister. Patients should be warned about the presence of a desiccant (sachet with silica gel) in the package that is not intended for use. Capsules should be taken in whole with liquid (preferably water). In order to achieve maximum absorption of the drug Advagraf® it is recommended to take it on an empty stomach: one hour before or 2-3 hours after naked meal. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible, preferably the same day; do not take a double dose the next morning.

The duration of therapy

In order to prevent transplant rejection, immunosuppression needs to be maintained at all times; therefore, there is no limit to the duration of therapy.

Dosing recommendations

Prevention of rejection after kidney transplantation

The oral therapy with Advagraf® should be started with a daily dose of 0.20-0.30 mg/kg, once daily in the morning. Administration of the drug should be started within 24 hours after transplantation. Over time after transplantation, doses of Advagraf® usually decrease. In some cases, withdrawal of concomitant immunosuppressants is possible, i.e., switching to Advagraf® monotherapy. Improvement of the patient’s condition may change the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and require additional adjustment of the doses of Advagraf®.

Prevention of rejection after liver transplantation

The oral therapy with Advagraf® should be started with a daily dose of 0.10-0.20 mg/kt, once daily in the morning. The drug should be started 12-18 hours after transplantation. Over time after transplantation, doses of Advagraf® usually decrease. In some cases, withdrawal of concomitant immunosuppressants is possible, i.e. switching to ionotherapy with Advagraf®. Improvement of the patient’s condition may change the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and require additional adjustment of doses of Advagraf®.

The conversion from Prograf to Advagraf®

If patients after allotransplantation who are taking Prograf twice daily are to be switched to Advagraf® once daily, the daily dose ratio during the conversion period should be 1:1 (mg:mg). It is recommended to take Advagraf® in the morning.

In stable patients transferred from Prograf (twice daily dosing) to Advagraf® (once daily dosing) with a total daily dose of 1:1 (mg:mg), the systemic tacrolimus exposure (area under the PFC0.24 pharmacokinetic curve) was approximately 10% lower with Advagraf® compared to Prograf. The relationship between minimum tacrolimus concentrations (C24) and systemic exposure to Advagraf® was the same as with Prograf. When converting (converting) from Prograf to Advagraf®, minimum tacrolimus concentrations should be measured both before converting from one drug to another and during the following two weeks. At the same time, doses of Advagraf® should be adjusted to achieve systemic tacrolimus exposure similar to Prograf.

The conversion from cyclosporine to Advagraf®

Caution should be exercised when switching from cyclosporine to Advagraf®. Simultaneous use of cyclosporine and tacrolimus is not recommended. Treatment with Advagraf® is recommended to be started after determination of cyclosporine blood concentrations and evaluation of the patient’s clinical condition. Conversion should be postponed if there are elevated blood concentrations of cyclosporine. In practice, tacrolimus therapy is started 12-24 hours after discontinuation of cyclosporine. After transition, it is recommended to monitor cyclosporine blood concentrations, since cyclosporine clearance may be delayed.

Treatment of graft rejection

The following approaches are recommended to control graft rejection: increasing the dose of tacrolimus, increasing glucocorticosteroid therapy, short courses of mono/polyclonal antibody therapy. If signs of tacrolimus toxicity occur (e.g., marked adverse reactions), doses of Advagraf® may need to be reduced.

Kidney or liver transplantation

When transferring from other immunosuppressants to Advagraf®, treatment should be started with the initial oral doses described above in the sections on prevention of rejection in kidney or liver transplantation.

Heart transplantation

When switching to therapy with Advagraf® in adult patients, the initial oral daily dose of the drug is 0.15 mg/kg, once daily in the morning.

Transplantation of other organs

There is no clinical experience with the use of Advagraf® in patients after lung, pancreatic, intestinal transplantation. However, gacrolimus (Prograf) is used in patients with lung transplants at an initial oral dose of 0.10-0.15 mg/kg/day, after pancreas transplantation at an initial oral dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day, after intestinal transplantation at an initial oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day.

Recommendations for Monitoring Therapeutic Blood Tacrolimus Concentrations

The choice of doses should be based on clinical evaluation of individual risk of rejection and tolerability of the drug as well as data on monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentrations.

To select the optimal dose, several methods are used to determine tacrolimus concentrations in whole blood. Comparison of monitoring results published in the literature with the results of monitoring in an individual clinic should be made taking into account the method used to determine tacrolimus blood concentrations. In current clinical practice, tacrolimus blood concentrations are monitored primarily by immunoassay methods.

The correlation between minimum (C(), C24) concentrations and systemic exposure (AUC 0.24) of tacrolimus in blood with both drugs. Advagraf® and Prograf, are the same.

In the post-transplant period, close monitoring of minimum (Co, C24) tacrolimus blood concentrations is necessary. Minimum blood concentrations of Advagraf® should be determined approximately 24 hours after administration of the drug, before the next dose. More frequent monitoring of minimum concentrations is recommended in the first two weeks after transplantation, followed by periodic monitoring during maintenance therapy. The therapeutic tacrolimus blood concentrations should be monitored carefully after switching from Prograf to Advagraf® , when adjusting doses of drugs, when making changes in immunosuppressive therapy or when concomitant use of drugs that may cause changes in tacrolimus blood concentrations (see sections “Conversion (transition) from cyclosporine to Advagraf® , “Conversion (transition) from Prograf to Advagraf® and “Interaction with other medicinal products”). The frequency of blood concentration monitoring is determined by clinical necessity. Because Advagraf® is a low clearance drug, it may take several days for tacrolimus blood concentrations to reach equilibrium after adjusting the dose of Advagraf®.

According to data from clinical studies, in most cases treatment is successful at therapeutic tacrolimus blood concentrations of 20 ng/ml or less. When interpreting data on therapeutic tacrolimus blood concentrations, the patient’s clinical condition must be taken into account.

It has been reported that in the initial post-transplant period in patients after liver transplantation the therapeutic blood concentrations of the drug are in the range of 5-20 ng/ml, and after kidney or heart transplantation, 10-20 ng/ml. During maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in patients after liver, kidney or heart transplantation, the drug concentrations in the blood are usually in the range of 5-15 ng/ml.

Dose adjustments in selected categories of patients Patients with hepatic dysfunction

In patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, a dose reduction of Advagraf® may be required to maintain minimum (Co) tacrolimus blood concentrations within the recommended therapeutic range.

Patients with renal dysfunction

As renal function does not affect the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus, no dose adjustments are necessary. However, due to the nephrotoxic potential of tacrolimus, close monitoring of renal function (including determination of serum creatinine concentration, calculation of creatinine clearance and monitoring of urine output) is recommended.

Race

Black patients may require higher doses of tacrolimus than white patients to achieve similar minimum (Co) blood concentrations.

Gender

There is no evidence that males and females require different doses of the drug to achieve equal minimum (Co) concentrations of tacrolimus in the blood.

Elderly patients

There is no evidence that elderly patients require special doses of Advagraf®.

Children

There are no dosing recommendations for children under 18 years of age because of limited clinical experience.

Interaction

Metabolic interactions

After oral administration, tacrolimus is metabolized in the intestinal cytochrome CYP3A4 system. Concomitant administration of drugs or herbs with an established inhibitory or inducing effect on CYP3A4 may respectively increase or decrease the blood concentration of tacrolimus. Therefore, to maintain adequate and consistent tacrolimus exposure, it is recommended that tacrolimus blood concentrations be monitored and the dose of Advagraf be adjusted as necessary.

Metabolic inhibitors. Based on clinical experience it was found that the following drugs can significantly increase tacrolimus blood concentrations: antifungal agents (ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (ritonavir). When prescribing these drugs with tacrolimus, Advagraf doses may need to be reduced. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that increased tacrolimus blood levels are primarily the result of increased oral bioavailability of the drug caused by inhibition of the intestinal metabolism of tacrolimus. Suppression of hepatic metabolism of tacrolimus plays a secondary role.

Less pronounced drug interactions were observed when tacrolimus was used simultaneously with clotrimazole, clarithromycin, josamycin, nifedipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, danazol, ethinylestradiol, omeprazole and nefazodone.

The following substances have been shown in in vitro studies to be potential inhibitors of tacrolimus metabolism: bromocriptine, cortisone, dapsone, ergotamine, gestodine, lidocaine, mephenytoin, miconazole, midazolam, nilvadipine, noretinodron, quinidine, tamoxifen, (triacetyl) oleandomycin.

Grapefruit juice should also be avoided because of the possibility of elevated tacrolimus levels in the blood. Lansoprazole and cyclosporine may potentially inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of tacrolimus and increase its blood concentration.

Metabolism inducers. Based on clinical experience, it has been found that blood concentrations of tacrolimus can be significantly reduced by rifampicin, phenytoin and preparations of Hypericum perforatum. If these drugs are prescribed with tacrolimus, Advagraf doses may need to be increased.

Clinically significant interactions have been observed with phenobarbital.

Corticosteroids at maintenance doses usually decrease the blood concentration of tacrolimus. High doses of prednisolone or methylprednisolone used to treat acute rejection can increase or decrease tacrolimus blood levels.

Carbamazepine, methamizole and isoniazid can decrease tacrolimus blood concentrations.

The effect of tacrolimus on the metabolism of other drugs. Tacrolimus inhibits CYP3A4 and in concomitant administration may affect drugs metabolized in the CYP3A4 system. The elimination half-life of cyclosporine is prolonged when used concomitantly with tacrolimus. Synergistic/additive nephrotoxic effects may also be observed. For these reasons, concomitant administration of cyclosporine and tacrolimus is not recommended, and caution should be exercised when prescribing tacrolimus to patients who have previously taken cyclosporine.

Tacrolimus increases blood levels of phenytoin.

Because tacrolimus may decrease the clearance of hormonal contraceptives, it is important to use caution when choosing contraception.

The data on interactions of tacrolimus with statins are limited. Clinical observations suggest that the pharmacokinetics of statins are not altered by concomitant administration with tacrolimus.

Animal experimental studies have shown that tacrolimus has the potential to decrease clearance and increase the half-life of phenobarbital and antipyrine.

Other potential interactions that increase systemic exposure to tacrolimus include: prokinetics (metoclopramide, cisapride), cimetidine, magnesium and aluminum hydroxide.

Other potentially adverse drug interactions. Concomitant use of tacrolimus with drugs with nephro- or neurotoxicity (e.g., aminoglycosides, gyrase inhibitors, vancomycin, co-trimoxazole, NSAIDs, ganciclovir, acyclovir) may contribute to these effects.

Tacrolimus combined with amphotericin B and ibuprofen resulted in increased nephrotoxicity.

Because tacrolimus may contribute to or exacerbate hyperkalemia, high doses of potassium or potassium-saving diuretics (amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone) should be avoided.

The immunosuppressants may change the body’s response to vaccination: vaccination during treatment with tacrolimus may be less effective. Live, attenuated vaccines should be avoided.

Protein binding. Tacrolimus actively binds to plasma proteins. Possible competitive interaction of tacrolimus with drugs with high affinity for blood plasma proteins (NSAIDs, oral anticoagulants, oral antidiabetic agents) should be considered.

Incompatibilities. Tacrolimus is incompatible with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Test tubes, syringes and other equipment used when preparing a suspension of Advagraf capsules must not contain PVC.

Special Instructions

There is limited experience in the treatment of non-white race and high immunologic risk patients (i.e., repeat transplant, high panel reactive antibody titer – PRA). There are no clinical data on the use of Advagraf in acute rejection refractory to therapy with other immunosuppressants in adult patients.

There are currently no clinical data on the use of Advagraf for the prevention of transplant rejection in heart transplant and pediatric patients.

In the initial post-transplant period the following parameters should be monitored regularly: BP, ECG, neurological and visual status, fasting glycemia, electrolytes concentration (especially potassium), hepatic and renal function parameters, hematologic parameters, coagulogram, proteinemia level. In the presence of clinically significant changes correction of immunosuppressive therapy is necessary.

When using Advagraf, prescription of herbal preparations containing Hypericum perforatum and other herbal agents which may cause decrease (change) of tacrolimus concentration in blood and have adverse effect on the clinical effect of Advagraf should be avoided.

In diarrhea, tacrolimus blood levels may change significantly; close monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentrations is necessary if diarrhea occurs.

The concomitant use of cyclosporine and tacrolimus should be avoided, and care should be taken when treating patients who have previously received cyclosporine with tacrolimus (see “Conversion (transition) from cyclosporine to Advagraf®”).

Cases of ventricular or septal hypertrophy reported as cardiomyopathy are rare but have been observed in patients receiving Prograf and are therefore possible with Advagraf treatment. Myocardial hypertrophy was reversible in most cases and was observed at blood concentrations (C0) of tacrolimus greater than recommended. Other factors that increase the risk of this adverse event include: previous heart disease, corticosteroid use, arterial hypertension, renal and hepatic dysfunction, infections, hypervolemia, edema. High-risk patients receiving intensive immunosuppressive therapy should have echocardiographic and ECG monitoring before and after transplantation (at 3 and 9-12 months). If abnormalities are detected, consideration should be given to reducing the dose of Advagraf or replacing the drug with another immunosuppressant.

Tacrolimus may cause prolongation of the QT interval, and no pirouette-type heart rhythm disturbances (bidirectional spindle-shaped ventricular tachycardia) have been observed. Special caution should be exercised when treating patients with diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT interval syndrome.

Patients treated with tacrolimus may develop post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD) associated with Epstein-Barr virus. The concomitant use of the drug with anti-lymphocyte antibodies increases the risk of PTLD. There are also reports of an increased risk of PTLD in patients with detected Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen. Therefore, serological testing for Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen should be performed before prescribing Advagraf in this group of patients. Close monitoring for Epstein-Barr virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is recommended during treatment. A positive PCR for Epstein-Barr virus may persist for months and is not in itself evidence of PTLD or lymphoma.

Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, including Advagraf®, are at increased risk of opportunistic infections (caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa). Among these infections, VC-virus-associated nephropathy and JC-virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) are noted. These infections are often associated with profound immune system suppression and can lead to severe or fatal outcomes, which must be taken into account when making a differential diagnosis in patients who have signs of renal dysfunction or neurological symptoms on immunosuppressive therapy.

Immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of malignancy. It is recommended to limit insolation and UV exposure, wear appropriate clothing, and use sunscreens with a high protection factor.

The risk of developing secondary cancer is unknown.

There have been reports of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome on tacrolimus therapy. If a patient taking tacrolimus develops symptoms characteristic of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome – headache, mental disturbances, seizures and visual disturbances – an MRI should be performed. If the diagnosis is confirmed, BP and seizures should be adequately controlled, and systemic tacrolimus administration should be stopped immediately. If these measures are taken, the condition is completely reversible in most patients.

Because Advagraf sustained release capsules contain lactose, special caution should be exercised when prescribing the drug in patients with rare hereditary conditions associated with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Impact on the ability to drive and operate machinery

Tacrolimus may cause visual and neurological impairment, especially when Advagraf is combined with alcohol.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug.

Side effects

Due to the characteristics of the underlying disease and the large number of medications used simultaneously after transplantation, the profile of immunosuppressant adverse events is difficult to establish accurately. Many of the adverse events presented below are reversible and/or decrease with dose reduction. Within each frequency group, adverse events are presented in descending order of severity.

The adverse events, classified by organ and system, are listed below in descending order of frequency:

Heart: frequent – coronary coronary disorders, tachycardia; infrequent – ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, ventricular hypertrophy, supraventricular arrhythmias, palpitations, abnormal ECG values, heart rhythm, HR and pulse; rare – pericardial effusion; very rare – abnormal echocardiogram values.

Blood and lymphatic system: frequently – anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis; infrequently – coagulopathy, abnormal coagulogram, pancytopenia, neutropenia; rarely – thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hypoprothrombinemia.

Nervous system: very common – tremor, headache; common – epileptoid seizures, impaired consciousness, paresthesias and dysesthesias, peripheral neuropathies, dizziness, writing disorders, nervous system disorders; infrequent – coma, CNS hemorrhage and cerebral circulation disorders, paralysis and paresis, encephalopathy, speech and articulation disorders, amnesia; rare – increased muscle tone; very rare – myasthenia gravis.

VIight organs: often – blurred vision, photophobia, eye disease; infrequently – cataracts; rarely – blindness.

Hearing and balance organs: often – tinnitus (ringing) in the ears; infrequent – decreased hearing; rare – neurosensory deafness; very rare – hearing disorders.

Respiratory system and mediastinum: often – shortness of breath, pulmonary parenchymal disorders, pleural effusion, pharyngitis, cough, nasal congestion, rhinitis; infrequent – respiratory failure, disorders of the airways, asthma; rarely – acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Gastrointestinal disorders: very often – diarrhea, nausea; common – inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, gastrointestinal ulcers and perforations, gastrointestinal bleeding, stomatitis and oral mucosal ulceration, ascites, vomiting, gastrointestinal and abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, flatulence, feeling of bloating and distention in the stomach, liquid stool, infrequently – paralytic ileus, peritonitis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, increased blood amylase levels, gastroesophageal reflux disease, disorders of gastric evacuation function, rarely – subileus, pancreatic pseudocysts.

Kidney and urinary tract: very common – renal dysfunction; common – renal failure, including acute, oliguria, acute tubular necrosis, toxic nephropathy, urinary syndrome; infrequent – anuria, hemolytic uremic syndrome; very rare – nephropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis.

The skin and subcutaneous tissue: frequently – itching, rash, alopecia, acne, hyperhidrosis, infrequently – dermatitis, photosensitization, rarely – toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s syndrome), very rarely – Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Muscular system and connective tissue: often – arthralgia, muscle cramps, pain in the extremities, back pain; infrequent – joint disorders.

Endocrine system: rarely – hirsutism.

Metabolism and nutrition: very common – hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia; common – hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, hypervolemia, hyperuricemia, decreased appetite, anorexia, metabolic acidosis, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, electrolyte disorders; infrequently – dehydration, hypoproteinemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypoglycemia.

Immune system: during therapy with tacrolimus, as well as other immunosuppressants, the risk of local and generalized infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal) increases. The course of previously diagnosed infectious diseases may worsen. Cases of BC-virus-associated nephropathy and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with JC-virus have been observed on immunosuppressive therapy, including Advagraf therapy.

Injuries, poisonings, complications of procedures: often primary graft dysfunction.

Benign, malignant and unidentified neoplasms. Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy have a higher risk of malignancy. Both benign and malignant neoplasms, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disease and skin cancer, have been reported with tacrolimus.

Vascular system: very common – arterial hypertension; common – bleeding, thromboembolic and ischemic complications, peripheral circulatory disorders, arterial hypotension; infrequent – infarction, deep vein thrombosis of extremities, shock.

General disorders and complications: frequent – asthenia, febrile states, edema, pain and discomfort, increased levels of alkaline phosphate in the blood, weight gain, disorders of body temperature perception; infrequent – multiple organ failure, flu-like syndrome, abnormal perception of ambient temperature, feeling of tightness in the chest, anxiety, worsening of well-being, increased blood lactate dehydrogenase level, weight loss; rare – thirst, loss of balance (falling), feeling of stiffness in the chest, difficulty in movement; very rare – increase in adipose tissue mass.

The immune system (allergic reactions). Allergic and anaphylactic reactions have been observed in patients taking tacrolimus.

The liver and biliary tract: often – increased liver enzymes, liver dysfunction, cholestasis and jaundice, liver cell damage and hepatitis, cholangitis; rarely – hepatic artery thrombosis, obliterating endophlebitis of liver veins; very rarely – liver failure, bile duct stenosis.

Reproductive system and the mammary glands: infrequent – dysmenorrhea and uterine bleeding.

Fertility. Negative effects of tacrolimus on male fertility, expressed in decreased sperm count and motility, have been found in rats.

Mental sphere: very common – insomnia; common – anxiety, confusion and disorientation, depression, depressed mood, emotional disturbances, nightmares, hallucinations, psychotic disorders; infrequent – psychotic disorders.

Overdose

Symptoms: there are limited reports of overdose. Several episodes of accidental overdose have been reported in patients taking tacrolimus. Symptoms have included tremors, headache, nausea, vomiting, infections, urticaria, lethargy, elevated blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and alanine aminotransferase.

Treatment: Currently there are no antidotes to tacrolimus. In case of overdose it is necessary to take standard measures and conduct symptomatic treatment.

With regard to the high molecular weight of tacrolimus, poor water solubility and marked binding to erythrocytes and plasma proteins, dialysis is ineffective. Hemofiltration or diafiltration were effective in individual patients with very high concentrations of tacrolimus in the blood. In cases of oral overdose, gastric lavage and/or the use of adsorbents (e.g. activated charcoal) may be effective if these measures are taken soon after taking the drug.

Pregnancy use

Pregnancy: Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the drug may penetrate the placenta. There have been reports of preterm labor (

Lactation: according to clinical experience, tacrolimus penetrates into breast milk. Since it is impossible to exclude adverse effects of tacrolimus on the newborn, women taking Advagraf® should refrain from breast-feeding.

Similarities