Tacrolimus
PrintQuick read
Tacrolimus can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.
What is it?
Tacrolimus (Envarsus®, Adoport®, Prograf®, Advagraf®, Dailiport®, Modigraf®, Protopic®) lowers the immune response. It is most commonly used in tablet form after an organ transplant to prevent rejection. Tacrolimus ointment is used to treat eczema and psoriasis.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking tacrolimus in pregnancy?
Tacrolimus reduces the chance of organ rejection in people with an organ transplant. Rejection can be life-threatening and can lead to pregnancy complications.
Tacrolimus ointment can improve quality of life by controlling the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking tacrolimus during pregnancy?
Only a small number of pregnant women taking tacrolimus tablets have been studied. While no obvious problems have been noted, more women need to be studied to rule out any ill-effects.
There are no studies of pregnant women using tacrolimus ointment. In general, treatments applied to the skin are thought to be unlikely to reach your baby in amounts that could cause harm.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking tacrolimus?
Possibly. If you are taking tacrolimus and planning a pregnancy or find out you are pregnant, you should speak to your doctor to see if you need to switch to a different medicine. For some women, continuing tacrolimus in pregnancy may be necessary to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ or to control eczema or psoriasis.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed to prevent organ rejection. Not having the correct treatment can be dangerous to you and can also lead to pregnancy complications.
Severe eczema and psoriasis can affect your sleep, quality of life, and mental health. It is important to keep these conditions well-controlled in pregnancy to ensure your wellbeing.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk through any concerns.
Do not stop tacrolimus without speaking to your midwife, GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
Women in the UK will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of routine antenatal care. No additional monitoring is required due to taking tacrolimus in pregnancy, although if you’ve had a transplant, you are likely to be offered additional blood tests and monitoring of your baby’s wellbeing.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken tacrolimus?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes tacrolimus.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.