Tacrolimus is a medicine that helps prevent organ rejection after a solid organ transplant. It comes as capsules, packets and liquid (oral suspension). You have been given tacrolimus oral suspension. This handout explains how to measure and take a tacrolimus oral suspension dose.
You may need liquid medicine for one or more of these reasons:
· You need a dose smaller than the smallest capsule.
· You need a dose that is in between capsule sizes.
· You cannot swallow a whole pill.
· Your insurance requires liquid form.
Medicine Supplies
To take liquid medicine, you will need these items:
Tacrolimus oral suspension
Bottle adapter
Oral syringes
The bottle adapter and oral syringes should be given to you when you pick up your medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the right line on the syringe for your dose. Use the smallest syringe that can hold your medicine, so your measurement is accurate.
If you cannot find these supplies, please call the pharmacy. Do not use teaspoons or soup spoons to measure your dose.
How to Read an Oral Syringe
Use the top of the rubber stopper and the lines on the syringe to measure. If you can’t read the measurement lines, the syringe can’t be used and should be thrown away.
Syringes can come in many different sizes, with different measurements. Always use the smallest syringe possible for each medicine.
Contact your transplant team or the pharmacy if you do not understand the measurements on your syringe.
Storing the Medicine
Store the liquid medicine at room temperature. After the beyond use date (BUD) on the bottle, the medicine can’t be used and should be thrown away.
Measuring Your Dose
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Shake the medicine bottle well.
Remove the cap and insert the bottle adapter (if not already in place).
Place the bottle on a clean, hard surface.
Make sure the bottle adapter is inserted and stays in the bottle.
Choose the smallest oral syringe that can hold your entire dose.
Check the numbers on the syringe to know how much medicine to draw.
Place the syringe into the bottle adapter.
Hold the syringe and the bottle together while turning the bottle upside down.
Make sure the syringe tip is in the liquid.
Pull the plunger until the top of the rubber stopper is at the correct line:
Ask your pharmacist to mark the line if you are unsure.
Tilt the bottle if needed to keep the syringe tip in the liquid and avoid air.
Check the dose at eye level.
If you see air bubbles, hold the syringe tip up, flick it to move bubbles to the top, then push the plunger to remove air.
Check if the plunger is at the correct line. Add or remove medicine if needed.
Hold the syringe and bottle together as you turn the bottle upright.
Remove the syringe from the bottle.
Replace the cap on the bottle (leave the adapter in the bottle).
Take the dose of liquid medicine in the syringe within one hour.
How to Clean an Oral Syringe
It is important to keep your oral syringe clean. Take apart the syringe and rinse the parts in warm water after each treatment.
Pull the plunger completely out to separate the syringe parts.
Wash both parts with warm water after each use.
Dry well.
Oral Syringe Safety Tips
Do not share oral syringes with other people to avoid spreading germs.
The oral syringe should be thrown away if the measurements can no longer be read.
When to Call
If you have questions or need more supplies, call your pharmacy or the transplant team.