Indicator Explainer
Tacrolimus
A macrolide isolated from Streptomyces tsukubaensis. Tacrolimus binds to the FKBP-12 protein and forms a complex with calcium-dependent proteins, thereby inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase activity and resulting in decreased cytokine production. This agent exhibits potent immunosuppressive activity in vivo and prevents the activation of T-lymphocytes in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. Tacrolimus possesses similar immunosuppressive properties to cyclosporine, but is more potent.
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C1311. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-20. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Tacrolimus (C1311)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C1311. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- PVA swelling microneedle (PVA-SMNs)-assisted enhancement of tacrolimus ointment penetration for improved psoriasis treatment. — Int J Pharm, 2026-10-19 (PMID 42896665; literature)
- Response to: Comment on "A comparative study of once-daily versus twice-daily tacrolimus in deceased donor kidney transplant recipients: a national cohort analysis". — Am J Transplant, 2026-10-17 (PMID 42892529; literature)
- Profound Tacrolimus-Induced Catatonic Encephalopathy in a Kidney Transplant Recipient With Mitochondrial Myopathy: A Cautionary Case of Reversible Neurotoxicity. — Transplant Proc, 2026-10-14 (PMID 42875311; literature)
- Topical Tacrolimus in Ocular Disease: A Narrative Review of Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Applications. — J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 2026-10-14 (PMID 42870636; literature)
- Dissociation Between Whole-Blood and Kidney Tissue Tacrolimus Exposure in Kidney Transplant Recipients. — J Xenobiot, 2026-10-14 (PMID 42931082; literature)
- Tacrolimus-Associated Focal Pancreatitis Mimicking a Pancreatic Mass in a Renal Transplant Recipient. — Turk J Gastroenterol, 2026-10-12 (PMID 42909330; literature)