'Gradually getting back to normal' Oct 15, 2009
He might be helped in that by the single immunosuppressive drug he is taking, tacrolimus, which has shown the ability to help nerves regrow faster in animal studies but not yet in humans, Dr. Gorantla said. In fact, Mr. Kepner was part of a unique protocol at Pittsburgh that included a bone marrow transplant from the donor that so far seems to be working, he said. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Intestinal transplant patients are living longer Oct 11, 2009
In the first period, from 1990-1994, doctors used the anti-rejection medicine Prograf, known generically as tacrolimus, with the steroid prednisone. While that combination prevented the organs from being rejected, it eventually opened patients up to bacterial and other infections. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Multivisceral Transplant Survival Rates Improve With New Treatment, Study Finds Oct 7, 2009
During what the researchers dubbed Era I (1990 to 1994), transplant recipients were treated with the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus and steroids ... Their post-transplant drug regimen was minimal and was initiated with tacrolimus, followed by steroids when necessary ... Tacrolimus doses were subsequently spaced to a single dose twice to three times per week with a careful weaning process that started three to six months after transplant. (Science Daily)
Drug causes brain damage Sep 8, 2009
If you are taking a medication such as Prograf (tacrolimus), we can easily understand how difficult it could be to pay the bill on your own. It might cost $500 or more for a month's worth of medication. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Astellas Seeks Rigorous Testing and Safety-Related Labeling for Anti-Rejection Medications Aug 11, 2009
In response, Astellas plans to file a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. challenging the FDA's decision to apply standard bioequivalence testing for the approval of generic immunosuppressant drugs, like tacrolimus ... About Prograf(R) (tacrolimus) ... Prograf(R) (tacrolimus capsules and injection) is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney, or heart transplants. (PR Newswire)
Extreme BMI cause for concern in liver transplantation Aug 5, 2009
"Aggressive management of the patients' co-morbid factors and posttransplantation weight loss is a must." The researchers also recommend a posttransplantation immunosuppressive regimen favoring less immunosuppressive medications without steroids and low dose tacrolimus based on the ideal body weight. In patients who are underweight the authors recommend "close follow-up with a nutritionist. If the patients are unable to meet their caloric intake prior to transplantation, they should then be... (EurekAlert!)
Five Questions About Eczema Aug 4, 2009
Protopic(R) (tacrolimus) Ointment full Prescribing Information, Deerfield, Ill ... Protopic(R) (tacrolimus) Ointment full Prescribing Information, Deerfield, Ill ... Protopic(R) (tacrolimus) Ointment full Prescribing Information, Deerfield, Ill. (PR Newswire)
Hand recipient making most of transplant Jul 17, 2009
As a result, he has been taking only one anti-rejection medication, Tacrolimus, twice a day, said Dr. Gerald Brandacher, an immunology specialist, and doctors hope to ratchet that down to a dose every other day by sometime next year. Mr. Kepner lost both hands and feet 10 years ago after a severe blood infection destroyed circulation to his extremities, and since then has relied on hook-like prosthetics for his hands and titanium-rod prosthetics for his legs. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Post-transplant combo can replace toxic immune-suppressing drugs in monkeys Jul 9, 2009
The class of immunosuppressive drugs known as calcineurin inhibitors (examples are cyclosporine and tacrolimus) can damage patients' kidneys and lead to high blood pressure, among other problems. A combination of treatments can effectively replace calcineurin inhibitors in preventing graft rejection when kidney transplants are performed on monkeys, scientists at the Emory Transplant Center have shown. (EurekAlert!)
Vitiligo Treatment: Frequently Aske... Jul 9, 2009
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus and other immune modulating medications may be used as an alternative to topical steroids. These are less effective, but with fewer side effects. (Suite101.com)
Living Donor Kidney Transplants Using Alemtuzumab Pre-Conditioning and Tacrolimus Monotherapy: Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Jun 1, 2009
May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The results of two large studies presented by researchers from the Starzl Transplant Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center demonstrated the long-term safety and efficacy of alemtuzumab induction and tacrolimus monotherapy ... Led by Dr. Henkie Tan, this group performed 200 consecutive living donor kidney transplants using a regimen of alemtuzumab pre-conditioning and tacrolimus monotherapy with subsequent weaning ... Beginning at 6 months posttransplant... (PR Newswire)
New Risk Variant For Atopic Dermatitis Identified Apr 15, 2009
29, 1998) In the first study of its kind in children, tacrolimus, used to fight organ rejection, has been found to combat atopic dermatitis in children. We ve had patients that after four days of. (Science Daily)
Patent pending for pain-free method of monitoring drug levels in transplant patients Apr 4, 2009
She is also researching the use of saliva for monitoring the concentration of two other immunosuppressive drugs, tacrolimus and sirolimus. "Routine concentration measurement for these agents is essential for their efficacious and safe use. This is currently done through blood tests that are usually administered twice a week in a clinic or hospital," Akhlaghi said. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Determination fuels his recovery Apr 3, 2009
" Those traits are coming in quite handy these days as he recovers from what was the nation's sixth hand transplant and the first by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on March 14. What distinguishes the UPMC transplant from the previous five, all done in Louisville, Ky., is a new protocol designed to reduce the amount of antirejection drugs typically required after any kind of transplant. It comprises initial antibody treatment, injection of bone marrow from the hand donor and then... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Patient gets new hand at UPMC Mar 23, 2009
Prior to the bone marrow infusion, the transplant patient also received antibodies to help overcome the initial, overwhelming immune response, and he will also be treated with a drug called tacrolimus, first used by Dr. Thomas Starzl more than two decades ago in liver transplants to maintain low-grade immunosuppression. Together, the three post-transplant steps are to be known as the "Pittsburgh Protocol.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
How to Treat Childhood Atopic Derma... Feb 19, 2009
Recurrences can be controlled with the use of immunemodulators tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. Exposure to environmental irritants, soaps, woolen dresses, milk and soy products, chocolates, fast foods etc should be controlled to avoid flare ups. (Suite101.com)
