Drug interactions
Methylprednisolone + Tacrolimus
Severity: Moderate
Methylprednisolone and Tacrolimus: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Corticosteroids and tacrolimus are commonly combined for immunosuppression, but they may alter each other's exposure and add to adverse effects such as hyperglycemia and infection. Tacrolimus levels may change when steroid doses are modified.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylprednisolone and Tacrolimus can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine; Tacrolimus belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Both are CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein substrates with mutual competition and possible steroid-mediated CYP3A4 induction, plus additive immunosuppression.
What to do
Monitor tacrolimus trough levels when steroid doses change and adjust dose accordingly. Monitor glucose and for infection.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tacrolimus
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylprednisolone with Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methylprednisolone and Tacrolimus can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Corticosteroids and tacrolimus are commonly combined for immunosuppression, but they may alter each other's exposure and add to adverse effects such as hyperglycemia and infection. Tacrolimus levels may change when steroid doses are modified.
How serious is the interaction between Methylprednisolone and Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor tacrolimus trough levels when steroid doses change and adjust dose accordingly. Monitor glucose and for infection.
What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.
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