Suggest Alternative For Tacrolimus Post Renal Transplant

Posted on Fri, 6 Jun 2014

Question: I had a transplant almost 6 years ago with very good prognosis and steady labs until I moved out of the U.S. with no insurance.

It is very difficult to get tacrolimus where I live. Both in availability and price. I have been off of it for over a week now but have increased my mycophenolate and prednisone dosages. What are my options and what alternatives? Will my dosage change be sufficient and over what period of time?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Arun (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
tacrolimus is essential

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Tacrolimus is the most essential drug after transplant. I am not aware of any other drug that would work as wonderfully as tacrolimus. You need to get that somehow imported or so. Call your previous doctor's if they can send a script to online stores such as Wallgreens and get that imported.

If no option available, increasing the dose of drugs can help to some extent until you find another renal specialist who can manage the graft. At this point of time, it is difficult to predict how long the mycophenolate and prednisolone will keep the graft healthy. I would monitor the renal functions closely say once every two weeks and titrate the other drug doses. But if your graft function decreases then you are left with only option of tacrolimus.

Regards

Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad