Tacstead

Tacstead is an immunosuppressant medication containing tacrolimus, a macrolide calcineurin inhibitor. It is marketed by Steadfast Limited (formerly Steadfast Medishield) primarily for the prevention of organ rejection in patients undergoing renal, hepatic, or cardiac transplantation. Tacrolimus exerts its therapeutic effect by binding to the intracellular protein FKBP-12, forming a complex that subsequently inhibits the phosphatase activity of calcineurin. This inhibition prevents the dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), thereby blocking the transcription of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and other cytokines essential for T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Tacstead is available in multiple capsule strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, and 2.0mg) and is typically used as part of a multi-drug immunosuppressive regimen to improve graft survival.

Brand names

Tacstead

Other names

tacrolimus