Prolonged-Release Capsules
Tacrolimus
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about ADVAGRAF XL prolonged-release capsules. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking ADVAGRAF XL against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about using ADVAGRAF XL ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What ADVAGRAF XL is used for
You have been given a new transplanted liver or kidney, lung or heart from another person because your own was no longer healthy. Your body recognises that this new organ is different from your other organs and will try to reject it by attacking it in the same way that it would attack germs that enter your body. This could make you become ill again. ADVAGRAF XL stops this attack; it is very important to take ADVAGRAF XL given to you by your doctor regularly so that your new liver, kidney, lung or heart will not be attacked or rejected.
If you have been taking other medicines for this purpose, but are still feeling unwell, your doctor may change your treatment and begin giving you ADVAGRAF XL.
ADVAGRAF XL contains the active ingredient tacrolimus, which is an immunosuppressive agent.
Your doctor may have prescribed ADVAGRAF XL for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Before you use ADVAGRAF XL
When you must not use it
Do not use ADVAGRAF XL if
you have an allergy to tacrolimus, other macrolides (these are antibiotics of the erythromycin family - trade names are Eryc, EES, Klacid, Zithromax, Rulide and Biaxsig) or any of the ingredients contained in the capsules. See Product Description at the end of this leaflet for a list of ingredients.
Do not use ADVAGRAF XL if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. Do not use ADVAGRAF XL beyond the expiry date (month and year) printed on the pack.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if
you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
you are using oral contraceptives
you are breast feeding
you are receiving cyclosporin immunosuppressive therapy
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking or are given ADVAGRAF XL.
Your doctor will advise you whether or not to take ADVAGRAF XL or if you need to adjust the dose or adapt your treatment.
Taking other medicines:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
This is particularly important for ADVAGRAF XL because there are some specific medicines that could alter ADVAGRAF XL's effectiveness and safety.
Among these medicines is the herbal preparation St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) which is capable of decreasing tacrolimus blood levels.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
Effects on driving and operating machinery
ADVAGRAF XL may cause visual or nervous disturbances. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
Effects of food and alcohol
Food reduces the absorption of ADVAGRAF XL so the capsules should be taken at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 to 3 hours after a meal.
Using ADVAGRAF XL
How much to take:
You can only get ADVAGRAF XL from your doctor. Your dose will be calculated according to your weight, age and medical condition. As your health and the function of your new liver or kidney, lung or heart can be affected by how much medicine you take, it is normal that your doctor collects samples of blood and urine at regular intervals. This is in order to test whether your medicine requires adjustment.
ADVAGRAF XL should be taken once a day in the morning. Take the capsule from the blister pack and swallow it whole with plenty of water. Do not use grapefruit juice; grapefruit juice contains substances that interfere with the action of ADVAGRAF XL.
How to take it:
ADVAGRAF XL capsules should be taken at least 1 hour before a meal.
You must never change the dose yourself even if you are feeling better. It is very important that you keep taking this medicine so that your body will not reject your new liver kidney, lung or heart.
If you accidentally take a larger dose than recommended, tell your doctor immediately.
If you do not understand the instructions provided with this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have missed more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you have taken too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
The Poisons Information Centre telephone number is 13 11 26.
Keep this telephone number handy.
While you are taking ADVAGRAF XL
Things you must do
Always follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ADVAGRAF XL.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking ADVAGRAF XL.
ADVAGRAF XL suppresses your immune system by lowering your body's immune defence system. This increases your risk of skin cancer and other cancers while taking ADVAGRAF XL. Always protect yourself from the sun, wear sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing.
Things you must not do
Do not take ADVAGRAF XL to treat any other complaint unless your doctor says so.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Side Effects
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some side effects. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:
tiredness, lack of energy
stomach upset, including nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, stomach cramps
tremor (shaking)
headache
feeling depressed (sad)
sleeping difficulties
blurred vision or sensitive to light
muscle cramps, tenderness or weakness
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following as you may need urgent medical care:
signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other part of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing
fever
diabetes / increased blood sugar
swelling, numbness or tingling (pins and needles) in your hands and feet
constant "flu-like" symptoms such as chills, sore throat, aching joints, swollen glands, or any other signs of infection
unusual bleeding or bruising
high blood pressure
palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain
new lumps or moles, or changes to existing moles, anywhere on the body
swelling of the eyelids, hands or feet due to excess fluid
a change in the amount of urine passed or in the number of times you urinate, pain on urinating, or other kidney problems.
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice) often accompanied by generally feeling unwell (for example, tiredness, lack of energy, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, pain in the abdomen)
symptoms of anaemia, such as shortness of breath, tiredness or dizziness
seizures (fits)
buzzing or ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Tell your doctor if you notice any other side effects.
After using ADVAGRAF XL
Storage
Use all the capsules within 12 months of opening the aluminium wrapper.
Keep ADVAGRAF XL prolonged-release capsules in the blisters until it is time to take them.
Keep ADVAGRAF XL prolonged-release capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature is below 25°C. Keep your medicines where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres (1.5 m) above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Do not store ADVAGRAF XL, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave medicines in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking ADVAGRAF XL prolonged-release capsules, or your medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine which may be left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
ADVAGRAF XL 0.5mg prolonged-release capsules are oblong capsules with a light yellow cap imprinted with "0.5 mg" and an orange body imprinted with "647" (Pack size: 30 capsules).
ADVAGRAF XL 1mg prolonged-release capsules are oblong capsules with a white cap imprinted with "1 mg" and an orange body imprinted with "677" (Pack size: 60 capsules).
ADVAGRAF XL 5mg prolonged-release capsules are oblong capsules with a greyish red cap imprinted with "5 mg" and an orange body imprinted with "687" (Pack size: 30 capsules).
Ingredients
ADVAGRAF XL prolonged-release capsules contain hypromellose, ethylcellulose, lactose and magnesium stearate. The capsule shells contain gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow CI77492, iron oxide red CI77491 and sodium lauryl sulfate. The capsules also have a trace of printing ink, Opacode S-1-15083 red, which contains shellac, soya lecithin, simethicone and iron oxide red CI77491.
