TACROLIMUS

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

TACROLIMUS Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

222,557 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About TACROLIMUS

TACROLIMUS is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Based on analysis of 222,557 FDA adverse event reports, TACROLIMUS has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for TACROLIMUS include OFF LABEL USE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, DRUG INTERACTION, PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION, ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for TACROLIMUS.

AI Safety Analysis

Tacrolimus has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 222,557 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Astellas Pharma Us, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Drug Interaction. Of classified reports, 90.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious adverse events (90.1%)

Diverse range of reactions including kidney injury, infections, and transplant rejection Significant report volume with over 220,000 total reports

Patients taking Tacrolimus should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. TACROLIMUS can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other immunosuppressants and agents affecting renal function. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Tacrolimus received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 90.1% serious event ratio across 148,832 classified reports. The score accounts for 222,557 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE14,225 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE9,831 reports
DRUG INTERACTION6,223 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION6,119 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY5,792 reports
DIARRHOEA5,742 reports
TRANSPLANT REJECTION4,922 reports
DEATH4,881 reports
PYREXIA4,738 reports
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION4,483 reports
PNEUMONIA4,349 reports
COVID 193,869 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,747 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT3,584 reports
SEPSIS3,387 reports
NAUSEA3,153 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED2,957 reports
VOMITING2,931 reports
ANAEMIA2,895 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED2,884 reports
RENAL FAILURE2,861 reports
POST TRANSPLANT LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER2,844 reports
THROMBOTIC MICROANGIOPATHY2,787 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE2,697 reports
HEADACHE2,466 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION2,420 reports
DYSPNOEA2,410 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK2,399 reports
IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT DRUG LEVEL INCREASED2,329 reports
FATIGUE2,325 reports
NEUTROPENIA2,307 reports
HYPERTENSION2,289 reports
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT REJECTION2,266 reports
INFECTION2,228 reports
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME2,181 reports
LEUKOPENIA2,177 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA2,049 reports
RASH2,021 reports
PANCYTOPENIA1,977 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,893 reports
GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE1,812 reports
DRUG LEVEL INCREASED1,808 reports
PRURITUS1,766 reports
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS VIRAEMIA1,761 reports
POLYOMAVIRUS ASSOCIATED NEPHROPATHY1,728 reports
TREMOR1,670 reports
ASTHENIA1,652 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,632 reports
PAIN1,619 reports
EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS INFECTION1,584 reports
MALAISE1,531 reports
ACUTE GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE1,523 reports
BK VIRUS INFECTION1,503 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,495 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE FOR UNAPPROVED INDICATION1,492 reports
COUGH1,484 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,407 reports
BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS1,345 reports
NEPHROPATHY TOXIC1,344 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,334 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION1,334 reports
POSTERIOR REVERSIBLE ENCEPHALOPATHY SYNDROME1,334 reports
HYPOTENSION1,307 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,278 reports
ASPERGILLUS INFECTION1,265 reports
COMPLICATIONS OF TRANSPLANTED KIDNEY1,260 reports
PNEUMOCYSTIS JIROVECII PNEUMONIA1,225 reports
TRANSPLANT DYSFUNCTION1,212 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,211 reports
HYPERKALAEMIA1,194 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,170 reports
CHRONIC GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE1,159 reports
HOSPITALISATION1,156 reports
DEHYDRATION1,149 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY1,133 reports
ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME1,123 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED1,117 reports
DISEASE RECURRENCE1,116 reports
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION1,109 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION1,098 reports
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION REACTIVATION1,094 reports
LIVER TRANSPLANT REJECTION1,087 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE1,058 reports
ALOPECIA1,046 reports
DIZZINESS1,027 reports
FUNGAL INFECTION1,003 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY990 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY978 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE965 reports
KLEBSIELLA INFECTION956 reports
NOCARDIOSIS955 reports
PSEUDOMONAS INFECTION948 reports
ERYTHEMA938 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE931 reports
ACUTE GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE IN SKIN922 reports
ENTEROCOCCAL INFECTION921 reports
ASCITES919 reports
PROTEINURIA917 reports
NEUROTOXICITY915 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE909 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Acute kidney injury and renal impairment are common
  • Multiple severe infections, including pneumonia and cytomegalovirus infection
  • High incidence of transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 72,676, Female: 57,099, Unknown: 845. The most frequently reported age groups are age 59 (2,622 reports), age 58 (2,606 reports), age 57 (2,602 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 148,832 classified reports for TACROLIMUS:

  • Serious: 134,093 reports (90.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 14,739 reports (9.9%)
Serious 90.1%Non-Serious 9.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male72,676 (55.6%)
Female57,099 (43.7%)
Unknown845 (0.6%)

Reports by Age

Age 592,622 reports
Age 582,606 reports
Age 572,602 reports
Age 602,588 reports
Age 632,551 reports
Age 652,520 reports
Age 612,512 reports
Age 552,505 reports
Age 622,476 reports
Age 642,469 reports
Age 562,446 reports
Age 682,229 reports
Age 522,184 reports
Age 662,170 reports
Age 542,166 reports
Age 672,153 reports
Age 502,099 reports
Age 532,083 reports
Age 512,072 reports
Age 452,049 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

TACROLIMUS can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other immunosuppressants and agents affecting renal function.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Tacrolimus, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, drug ineffective, drug interaction, product use in unapproved indication, acute kidney injury. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of infection and kidney function regularly, especially in transplant patients. Be aware of the risk of graft-versus-host disease and adjust dosing as necessary. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with frequent updates to safety information and warnings for serious adverse events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Tacrolimus?

The FDA has received approximately 222,557 adverse event reports associated with Tacrolimus. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Tacrolimus?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Tacrolimus include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Drug Interaction, Product Use In Unapproved Indication, Acute Kidney Injury. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (14,225 reports), Drug Ineffective (9,831 reports), Drug Interaction (6,223 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Tacrolimus.

What percentage of Tacrolimus adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 148,832 classified reports, 134,093 (90.1%) were classified as serious and 14,739 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Tacrolimus (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Tacrolimus break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 72,676, Female: 57,099, Unknown: 845. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Tacrolimus?

The most frequently reported age groups for Tacrolimus adverse events are: age 59: 2,622 reports, age 58: 2,606 reports, age 57: 2,602 reports, age 60: 2,588 reports, age 63: 2,551 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Tacrolimus?

The primary manufacturer associated with Tacrolimus adverse event reports is Astellas Pharma Us, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Tacrolimus?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Tacrolimus include: Diarrhoea, Transplant Rejection, Death, Pyrexia, Cytomegalovirus Infection. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Tacrolimus?

You can report adverse events from Tacrolimus to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Tacrolimus's safety score and what does it mean?

Tacrolimus has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious adverse events (90.1%)

What are the key safety signals for Tacrolimus?

Key safety signals identified in Tacrolimus's adverse event data include: Acute kidney injury and renal impairment are common. Multiple severe infections, including pneumonia and cytomegalovirus infection. High incidence of transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Tacrolimus interact with other drugs?

TACROLIMUS can cause drug interactions, and its use should be monitored for potential interactions with other immunosuppressants and agents affecting renal function. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Tacrolimus.

What should patients know before taking Tacrolimus?

Monitor for signs of infection and kidney function regularly, especially in transplant patients. Be aware of the risk of graft-versus-host disease and adjust dosing as necessary.

Are Tacrolimus side effects well-documented?

Tacrolimus has 222,557 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Diverse range of reactions including kidney injury, infections, and transplant rejection The volume of reports for Tacrolimus reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Tacrolimus?

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with frequent updates to safety information and warnings for serious adverse events. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to TACROLIMUS based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

CyclosporinePrednisoneMycophenolate mofetil
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.