MDose · Veterinary drug reference

TACROLIMUS TOPICAL

CatDogOther speciesSpecies not recorded

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Source overview

Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.

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Clinical evidence

Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.

Indications2

Atopic dermatitis (localized lesions), discoid lupus, pemphigus E/F, pinnal vascular disease, alopecia areata, vitiligo, perianal fistulas (maintenance after cyclosporine) — the steroid-sparing, non-atrophogenic topical
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)
2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
  Original excerpt: Atopic dermatitis (localized lesions), discoid lupus, pemphigus E/F, pinnal vascular disease, alopecia areata, vitiligo, perianal fistulas (maintenance after cyclosporine) — the steroid-sparing, non-atrophogenic topical — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
  Original excerpt: Atopic dermatitis (localized lesions), discoid lupus, pemphigus E/F, pinnal vascular disease, alopecia areata, vitiligo, perianal fistulas (maintenance after cyclosporine) — the steroid-sparing, non-atrophogenic topical — Extra-label (human drug)

Dose regimens2

This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.

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Adverse effects4

Local irritation/pruritus at application — Possible
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Sunburn-risk at treated sites (unproven concern) — Counseling point
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Human black-box: skin-cancer/lymphoma theoretical risk — Owner-informed gloves
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.

Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.

More reportsFewer reports

Dog

INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE1 reports

Monitoring1

Lesion response; local tolerance; owner-technique review (gloves, no-lick)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

Precautions4

Keep out of eyes/mucosa (except deliberate oral-papilloma use); no licking/grooming of site; no occlusive dressings; don't touch site after application
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The topical answer to "steroid-sparing": ears/paws/nose of atopic dogs, DLE nose lesions, anal-fistula maintenance — cyclosporine-class immunology without the systemic load or steroid atrophy.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The ointment base ≠ ophthalmic: propylene carbonate ocular-toxin warning (never compound into eye meds — use true ophthalmic tacrolimus for KCS).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Behavior-mod pearl: an Elizabethan collar or distraction beats fighting the tongue — licked-off drug does nothing (and upsets the GI).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

Interactions1

None significant (negligible absorption) — —
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

Pharmacokinetics2

Mechanism — Calcineurin inhibition (like cyclosporine but different binding: FKBP-12) → ↓T-cell activation, ↓inflammatory cytokines from mast cells/basophils
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Absorption — Negligible systemic — local immunomodulation
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

Pregnancy / lactation considerations1

Topical, minimal exposure; no specific restriction.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)
1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1240–1241 (topical appendix) — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based

Sources: openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.

Owner information handout

Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.

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