This and That and Talk - My Transplant

This is a very interesting discussion for me. I was told absolutely no grapefruit in any form but pomegranate was not mentioned. When my tacrolimus levels suddenly spiked, there was no obvious cause until I remembered that I had been drinking pomegranate juice. I researched this and found that some doctors in North America ( I recall Minneapolis and Nebraska universities) had found evidence of the this link. My tacrolimus went back down when I stopped the pomegranate juice

My doctors were really interested and asked me to submit a Yellow Card to NICE ( our equivalent of your FDA) which means that they will conduct further studies to see if it should be listed as a known drug reaction.

Needless to say, I never drink or eat pomegranate or grapefruit.

There is no shortage of tacrolimus here as far as I am aware. Prograf is the make of choice certainly in Edinburgh and I am not allowed to take any other brand of tacrolimus. I hope this helps.

Eek, I did not know about the shortage of Tacrolimus or that Medicare only covers immunosuppressants for 3 years. We have a Medicare Advantage plan. Hoping that helps.

Grapefruit juice and/ or grapefruits, should not be consumed, as they throw off the Tac. levels......I never herd anything about pomegranates. There is a shortage of the Tacrolimus, I had to switch, how many years out are you nMedicare should cover the immunosuppressants, for 3yrs., until they change the legislation.

I never ingest grapefruit, pomegranates, or Seville oranges. I don't like raw oysters. All of the above were on the do not eat list post transplant. ON a different note. I was told by my Transplant Pharmacy that there is a current shortage of TACROLIMUS and my insurance does not cover brand name Profraf. Any others have the same issues?

@rodney9999 My husband was told "no grapefruit". Which is fine by him, as he doesn't like it anyways ;))
Ginger

It was my understanding pomelo’s (variation of grapefruit) and grapefruit were no no’s. Can anybody confirm?

@wildcat I was told that grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice are never allowed with transplant drugs because they can change the strength of the drugs in unpredictable ways. Just curious, were you told pomegranate juice is ok to consume?

I don't think I can really help very much as everyone has a different level dependent on how immunosuppressed your doctors wish you to be at that particular time. I actually don't know my level at the moment although I recall once being told that it was too high when i had been taking a lot of pomegranate juice.

I have bloods taken every three months although it was much more often in the early days when my tacrolimus was changed on a regular basis. Sorry I can't be of more help but, on this question, everyone is unique.

@wildcat I am glad to see that you are doing well and have been stable for some time. Thank you for sharing. My interest was tweaked when you said that you are on only 0.5 mg tacrolimus twice daily for immunosuppressants. I have a series of questions regarding your tacrolimus medication: 1) do you have regular blood levels run? 2) what is the range your physicians want you to maintain? 3) what is your level? and 4) does your level deviate or is it stable? I am in the USA and have a pancreas transplant and am currently going through changes in my tacrolimus dosages and levels. Thank you for whatever you are willing to share.

Thank you for your warm welcome, Rosemary.

I was an exchange student at Macalester College,St Paul in the late 1970's when I first heard about the Mayo Clinic. One of my fellow students hoped to train there and he often sang its praises.

Many years later, and with the growth of the internet, I often found myself looking at your website for information on the usual ailments that beset us as we get older and, although most doctors then were reluctant to encourage patients to seek help on the interenet, the Mayo Clinic was always respected.

It was invaluable when my liver failed and in the weeks before and after my transplant and it remains one of my first resources for information.

I came across Mayo Connect quite by accident when I was looking at another part of the Mayo Clinic website.Some hospitals in the UK have patient groups but mine (Edinburgh) has only a Facebook page. I think Mayo Connect is wonderful especially as it allows people like me to re-assure others who are facing the same problems. I am very happy to answer any questions other members may have regarding my experiences here in the UK.