Tacrolimus levels dropping

Tacrolimus levels dropping - cause?

smcder

New Member

Joined : Apr 2015

Posts : 2

Posted 5/13/2015 12:10 AM (GMT 0)

I've been taking oral Tacrolimus ER for a while now, >6 months, I take 15mg and my levels have recently been dropping from 15.2ng/ml to 7.2 to 5.2, each taken a week to ten days apart.

No grapefruit juice, no dietary changes.

I've checked drug interactions - but nothing has changed with my other meds, except to decrease by a few milligrams my prednisone (currently 6mg/day)

Any thoughts appreciated!

MEDS

Cortifoam 15gm
Sulfasalazine 500mg x8 (2000mg)

Prednisone 6mg
Astagraf Xl 15mg
6-MP 50mg

Nefazadone 150mg
Divalproex 500mg

(for depression/mood stability)

Atenolol 25mg (blood pressure)
Ropinrole 8mg (restless legs)

-Stephen

ks1905

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 6428

Posted 5/13/2015 12:24 AM (GMT 0)

I've used Cyclosporine in the past (similar drug) and I thought standard protocol for IBD patients is usually 6 months or less.

Maybe your levels are dropping because of the length of time that you've been on the medication for.

Has your doctor made any suggestions on why your levels have dropped?

smcder

New Member

Joined : Apr 2015

Posts : 2

Posted 5/13/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you for the reply! There hasn't been anything standard about my protocols - lol - I am still on prednisone after a year and a half, only recently reducing from >20mg - doc said I just dont look like someone who is on long term prednisone therapy.

It's not been a gradual reduction, from 15.2 to 7.2 in a week and then to 5.2 in a week. No med changes during that time. No dietary or supplement changes.

No grapefruit juice.

Doc is still mulling it over.

Thanks,

Stephen

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