What is the difference between Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%?

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% are both Immunosuppressants, so they work through the same broad mechanism. They differ in dosing, half-life, side-effect frequency, and how individual patients tolerate them. See the head-to-head sections below for the specifics.

Can Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including ( 14.2 )] . Pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US and Inc.'s ASTAGRAF XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules). However. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is tacrolimus the same as Tacrolimus?

No. tacrolimus (Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules) and Tacrolimus (Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules or Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules to Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Compare Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules (tacrolimus) and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% (Tacrolimus), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

tacrolimus, Protopic, Prograf · Immunosuppressant

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tacrolimus binds to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin (a ubiquitous mammalian intrac...

Approved for

( 14.2 )] . Pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US

Inc.'s ASTAGRAF XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules). However

due to Astellas Pharma US

Inc.'s marketing exclusivity rights

OralTablet

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Tacrolimus · Immunosuppressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tacrolimus ointment

both 0.03% and 0.1% for adults

and only 0.03% for children aged 2 to 15 years

or when those treatments are not advisable. Tacrolimus ointment is not indicated for children younger than 2 years of age (see boxed WARNING

TopicalTablet

Quick Comparison

Tacrolimus Extended-Release CapsulesTacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Drug Class

Immunosuppressant

Route

Oral

Topical

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

Drug Not Working

>10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Fever

1-10%

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Drug Not Working

>10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Fever

1-10%

FDA Warnings

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Not Interchangeable with Other Tacrolimus Products-Medication Errors: Instruct patients or caregivers to recognize the appearance of tacrolimus extended-release capsules
6 ) Neurotoxicity: Including risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), monitor for neurologic abnormalities; reduce dosage or discontinue tacrolimus extended-release capsules
7 ) Hyperkalemia: Risk may be increased with other agents associated with hyperkalemia; monitor serum potassium levels
9 ) QT prolongation: Consider obtaining electrocardiograms and monitoring electrolytes in patients at high risk

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

WARNING Long-term Safety of Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors Has Not Been Established Although a causal relationship has not been established, rare cases of malignancy (e

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% belong to the Immunosuppressant class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients. Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules is administered via Oral, whereas Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% uses Topical. Route of administration can affect onset of action and patient adherence.

Safety Considerations

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules carries 4 FDA warnings. Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% carries 1 FDA warning. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

Everolimus vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→Sirolimus vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Solution vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→Cyclosporine vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→Mycophenilic Acid vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→Azathioprine vs Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Compare Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules (tacrolimus) and Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1% (Tacrolimus), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

tacrolimus, Protopic, Prograf · Immunosuppressant

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tacrolimus binds to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin (a ubiquitous mammalian intrac...

Approved for

( 14.2 )] . Pediatric use information is approved for Astellas Pharma US

Inc.'s ASTAGRAF XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules). However

due to Astellas Pharma US

Inc.'s marketing exclusivity rights

OralTablet

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Tacrolimus · Immunosuppressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tacrolimus ointment

both 0.03% and 0.1% for adults

and only 0.03% for children aged 2 to 15 years

or when those treatments are not advisable. Tacrolimus ointment is not indicated for children younger than 2 years of age (see boxed WARNING

TopicalTablet

Quick Comparison

Tacrolimus Extended-Release CapsulesTacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Drug Class

Immunosuppressant

Route

Oral

Topical

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

Drug Not Working

>10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Fever

1-10%

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

Drug Not Working

>10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Fever

1-10%

FDA Warnings

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Not Interchangeable with Other Tacrolimus Products-Medication Errors: Instruct patients or caregivers to recognize the appearance of tacrolimus extended-release capsules
6 ) Neurotoxicity: Including risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), monitor for neurologic abnormalities; reduce dosage or discontinue tacrolimus extended-release capsules
7 ) Hyperkalemia: Risk may be increased with other agents associated with hyperkalemia; monitor serum potassium levels
9 ) QT prolongation: Consider obtaining electrocardiograms and monitoring electrolytes in patients at high risk

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%

WARNING Long-term Safety of Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors Has Not Been Established Although a causal relationship has not been established, rare cases of malignancy (e

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules vs Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Tacrolimus Extended-Release Capsules: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Tacrolimus Ointment 0.1%: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov