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Misinformation regarding the availability and coverage of Prograf®
(tacrolimus capsules) for kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients has created artificial
barriers to care. Know the facts about insurance coverage, co-pay levels, and reimbursement
for Prograf, and make sure you can access this needed medication.
Click here for Indication and Important Safety Information
- 97% of Prograf prescriptions do not require prior authorization*1
- Average co-pay for Prograf is $24 at Tier 2 and $49 at Tier 3—88% of patients using the Prograf: Value Card will have their total monthly out-of-pocket costs fully covered†1
- Under Medicare Part B, there is no difference in patient out-of-pocket costs between Prograf and generic tacrolimus products2-4
- 100% of commercial insurance patients (outside of Massachusetts) are eligible for the Prograf: Value Card†
- Most pharmacies can obtain Prograf within one business day
- Astellas Reimbursement Services supports patients and healthcare providers with benefit verification, prior authorizations, appealing denied claims, and more
- 85% of patients receive Prograf as intended when informed that it is their prescriber's choice1
- 100% of pharmacists are required to dispense Prograf when prescriptions are protected with state-specific language1,5
If you are a transplant recipient, you have the right and power to receive the medication your doctor has determined is right for you—including brand name Prograf.
Always check your medication to be sure you have received Prograf if it is the medication intended for you. Should you receive medication that is different from Prograf or if you have questions about Prograf, call your healthcare professional's office immediately.
The only way to ensure that your patients receive the brand name Prograf you intend for them is by following these steps:
Write Prograf on all new prescriptions and refill prescriptions for which you believe it is medically necessary, and write "brand medically necessary," "do not substitute," or "dispense as written" according to your state's laws.
When phoning in prescriptions, verbally state that branded Prograf is your choice.
Communicate to transplant coordinators, nurses, and other members of the practice or clinic staff the importance of following the medication choice you make.
Be an advocate for your patients by reaching out to pharmacists and other community providers to ensure that Prograf is dispensed as you intend.
Teach patients to check their medications before leaving the pharmacy, and to notify you if they receive anything other than Prograf.
What is Prograf?
PROGRAF is a prescription medicine used with other medicines to help prevent organ rejection in people who have had a kidney, liver, or heart transplant. PROGRAF is not for use with medicines called cyclosporines (Gengraf®, Neoral®, and Sandimmune®) and is not for use with a medicine called sirolimus (Rapamune®) in people who have had a liver or heart transplant. It is not known if PROGRAF is safe and effective when used with sirolimus in people who have had kidney transplants. It is not known if PROGRAF is safe and effective in children who have had kidney or heart transplants.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about Prograf?
Prograf can cause serious side effects, including:
1. Increased risk of cancer. People who take Prograf have an increased risk of getting some kinds of cancer, including skin and lymph gland cancer (lymphoma).
2. Increased risk of infection. Prograf is a medicine that affects your immune system. Prograf can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections can happen in people receiving Prograf that can cause death. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of an infection such as fever, sweats or chills, cough or flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, and/or warm, red, or painful areas on your skin.
Do not take PROGRAF if you are allergic to tacrolimus or any of the ingredients in PROGRAF.
Before you take PROGRAF, tell your doctor if you: plan to receive any live vaccines, have or have had liver, kidney or heart problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. PROGRAF may harm your unborn baby and can pass into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take PROGRAF or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. PROGRAF may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how PROGRAF works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How Should I Take PROGRAF?
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking PROGRAF. Take PROGRAF exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Take PROGRAF with or without food and the same way and time every day. If you take too much PROGRAF, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
PROGRAF may cause serious side effects, including:
high blood sugar (diabetes), kidney problems, nervous system problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, high blood pressure, or heart problems (myocardial hypertrophy). Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: frequent urination, increased thirst or hunger, blurred vision, confusion, drowsiness, loss of appetite, fruity smell on your breath, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle tremors, numbness and tingling, headache, seizures, vision changes, shortness of breath, chest pain, feel lightheaded, or feel faint.
The most common side effects of PROGRAF are: tremors (shaking of the body); high blood pressure; kidney problems; diarrhea; headache; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; nausea; pain; weakness or low red blood cell count (anemia); infection; constipation; low levels of phosphate in your blood; swelling of the hands, ankles, or legs; high levels of fat or potassium in your blood; numbness or tingling in your hands or feet; fever; or low levels of magnesium in the blood.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of PROGRAF. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the Patient Prescribing Information and Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.
*Based on analysis of patients covered by commercial plans who receive Prograf prescriptions.
†Excluding residents of Massachusetts and those who participate in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal- or state-funded pharmaceutical benefit program.
References: 1. Data on file. 2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare & You 2010. http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf. Published January 2010. Accessed June 10, 2010. 3. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Quarterly October 2007 quarterly average sales price (ASP) Medicare Part B drug pricing files and revisions to prior quarterly pricing files. Medicare Learning Network Matters, MM5710. http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5710.pdf. Effective October 1, 2007. Accessed June 10, 2010. 4. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare claims processing manual. Chapter 17 – drugs and biologicals. Publication 100-04. http://www.cms.gov/manuals/downloads/clm104c17.pdf. Revised February 5, 2010. Accessed June 10, 2010. 5. Liow K. Understanding patients' perspective in the use of generic antiepileptic drugs: compelling lessons for physicians to improve physician/patient communication. BMC Neurol. 2009;9:11.
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