PrografAll NetDoctor---------------------Preventing rejection of organ transplantsPrograf capsules and injection contain the active ingredient tacrolimus, which is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants are used to dampen down the activity of cells in the immune system. Lymphokines are normally produced by the T-lymphocytes when a foreign substance is detected in the body. The purpose of the lymphokines is to stimulate the production of more T and B lymphocytes, the white blood cells responsible for regulating and triggering immune responses. The T and B lymphocytes attack foreign invadors and defend the body against infection and foreign cells. During treatment with this medicine your doctor will need to monitor various things to make sure the treatment is working properly and not causing side effects. Your blood pressure, nervous system and eyesight will be monitored, and your heart using an ECG. You will also need blood tests to monitor your kidney and liver function, blood sugar, blood clotting, blood cells, levels of salts (electrolytes, eg potassium), and amount of the medicine in your blood. Measuring the level of medicine in your blood helps your doctor to prescribe you the correct dose. If you get diarrhoea during treatment, this can affect the amount of medicine in your blood and extra monitoring of your tacrolimus blood level is recommended.
