Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patti Phillips on July 27, 2011 at 5:22pm

Hi David.  I would definitely question your drug supplier.  I get my meds from Walmart BUT they are capsules.  I also got meds from Vanderbilt immediately after my liver transplant and they were the same capsules.  All of the research I have done in an effort to know about my drugs has shown Prograf in only capsules.  I am a nurse so I was taught to question all medications if I doubted their accuracy,  I believe that is a good practice for everyone.  Since you mentioned that they now look different, check it out!  Good luck.

Patti

Permalink Reply by David Goodman on July 27, 2011 at 5:48pm

Prograf ONLY comes in capsules. The 0.5 mg. is yellow, the 1.0 mg. is white and the 5.0 mg. is flesh colored. Do you even know how much of a dose you're supposed to be taking? There's something wrong here. There is a number for xpress scripts pharmacists to talk to. Either that, or talk to your doctor immediately. Taking the wrong drug, or an incorrect dose could be very harmful.

Permalink Reply by David A. Bjorkman on July 27, 2011 at 5:57pm

Only two replys and Im already convinced that I need to address this issue.I will play the phone game til I get a human! I am prescribed 1mg twice a day but have to wonder if thats what Im getting. Thanx so much!!

 

Permalink Reply by Terry Funk McGee on July 27, 2011 at 6:37pm

I experienced this with one of my supplemental immuno drugs.  They came in different shapes.  Sort of scared me.  I called my prescription company (CVS mail order) and actually spoke to a pharmacist.  I had them note on my file the exact shaped pill I wanted.  You can do that.  Check to see if they are using another supplier, but that would be a generic.  Not sure if prograff has gone generic.  Check that out.  That could be the issue with a different shape.  If they are sending you a generic at times, tell your Dr. to note on your prescription that you need the drug exactly as written.  All pharmacist will send a generic if available instead of name brand.  I always want name brand as I know what company it came from!!!!  Hope this helps.  Good luck. 

 

Permalink Reply by Marina on July 27, 2011 at 10:12pm

Terry,

Tacrolimus  is the  generic  for  of   Prograf.         It  is  a  slow  release  capsule  though.

At  hospital  I  was  taking  Prograf,  but  upon  discharge  I  was  told  I  would  be  sent home  with   generic  (Tacro),  still  a  capsule,  it  is  different  color.

I  was  given  1mg  and  0.5mg  since  at  times  I  took  1.5mg  at hospital.

At   the  manufacture  changed,  they  (walgreens) not  only put  a  yellow  sticker on the  information  sheet  but   the  pharmacy  tech  also   mentioned    that  manufacturer  had  change.   It  was  different  color than I  was  used  to.            When  I  came  home I  looked i t  up  on   http://www.rxlist.com/pill-identification-tool/article.htm   to  make  sure they  had  given  me the   right  med.

If your  center  only  wants you  to  take  name  brand  you   need  to   tell Dr  to  write  down  "do  not  sub"  on Rx.  Otherwise  the  pharmacist  will  automatically  give you  generic  if  available.   Most  insurances  insist  on  generics  so  pharmacys  are  just  following  what  insurance  says.

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Jane Tidwell on July 27, 2011 at 11:03pm

I take Progaf I order it from CVS DRUGS

it is always the same size pill.

Permalink Reply by David A. Bjorkman on July 28, 2011 at 2:47pm

I called xpress scripts and they now have a new phone system that is voice activated.I spoke a couple words and had a pharmacist in no time!! Very cool. She was surprised and after explaining the markings on the 2 different sized pills she cracked the case and discovered that while it was the same dosage it was two different suppliers.Basicly,I was getting half prograf and half tacro.I told her I want all tacro and will be talking to doc about this and may need all prograf in the future.

  I wanna thank you folks for quick response and as always with this site,caring and knowledgeable people who understand right where Im at. Each of us is a blessing to each other! Thanx again!!

Permalink Reply by Marina on July 28, 2011 at 10:57pm

David,

I'm  so  glad that  was  resolved.      I'm  just  surprised they  would  give you  both  generic  and  name  brand,  Why  not  either  or?  It  makes  no  sense.

It's  a  good  idea  to  check with  TX  neph  about  which   drug  (generic or  brandname)  you  should  be  taking.  And  to  make  sure  he/she  writes  it   the prescription.

 

Take  care :)

Marina