Two medicines, side by side
Tacrolimus vs prednisone
Tacrolimus and prednisone are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis) and organ transplant rejection. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tacrolimus since 1994 and of prednisone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) and $0.0643 per prednisone 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and prednisone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the tacrolimus FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 17, 2026); the prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025).
Highlights of the tacrolimus record
Tacrolimus (Prograf) · label of July 17, 2026
MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with Tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTacrolimus capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney or heart transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 8, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.970 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the prednisone record
Prednisone (Meticorten) · label of April 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisone tablets and solutions are indicated in the following conditions: 1. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tacrolimus label of July 17, 2026, Prednisone label of April 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tacrolimus and prednisone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and prednisone a corticosteroid.
Only the tacrolimus label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: tacrolimus since 2009; prednisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tacrolimus | Prednisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Organ transplant rejection, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours whereas it was 43.5±11.6 hours based on tacrolimus concentrations. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 8, 1994 | February 21, 1955 |
| First generic approved | August 10, 2009 | December 23, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 33 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) | $0.0643 per tablet (Prednisone 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 156,020 | 499,950 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Tacrolimus label, drug interactionsMild or Moderate CYP3A Inducers Methylprednisolone, prednisone May decrease tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations.
Tacrolimus label, drug interactionsMild or Moderate CYP3A Inducers, such as: Methylprednisolone, prednisone May decrease tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to tacrolimus
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions