What it means
A calcineurin inhibitor taken by mouth or IV after kidney, liver, heart and other transplants. It has a narrow safe range, so blood levels are checked. It can damage the kidneys, raise the blood glucose and potassium, cause tremor and high blood pressure, and raises the risk of infection and some cancers. An ointment form treats eczema.
For the nurse
Give it at the same times every day and draw trough levels just before a dose. Teach the client to avoid grapefruit, to report signs of infection and never to switch between brands or forms without the prescriber. Products with different release rates are not interchangeable.
At a glance
| Drug class | immunosuppressant (calcineurin inhibitor) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Prograf, Envarsus XR, Astagraf XL; Protopic (ointment) |
| Also written | Prograf, Envarsus XR, Astagraf XL, Protopic |
Related terms
hyperkalemia
A blood potassium level above normal, over 5.0 mEq/L.
creatinine
A waste product of muscle that the kidneys remove from the blood; its blood level is used to measure how well the kidneys work.
immune system
The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.