Tacrolimus (also FK-506 or Fujimycin) is an immunosuppressive drug whose main use is after an organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient’s immune system and so the risk of organ rejection. It is also used in topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis, severe refractory uveitis after bone marrow transplants, and the skin condition vitiligo. It was discovered in 1984 from the fermentation broth of a Japanese soil sample that contained the bacteria Streptomyces tsukubaensis. Tacrolimus is chemically known as a macrolide. It reduces peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity by binding to the immunophilin FKBP-12 (FK506 binding protein) creating a new complex. This FKBP12-FK506 complex inhibits calcineurin which inhibits T-lymphocyte signal transduction and IL-2 transcription. Tacrolimus EP Impurity C is an impurity of Tacrolimus.

This item is for laboratory research use only, not for human consumption.