Has anyone experienced joint pain while taking tacrolimus and mycophenolate?

[RPRocker]

I have been taking these for about 18 months and have had severe joint pain for about the last 3 months. Could these drugs be the cause?

[TT-2018]

It happened to me after about a year on Tacrolimus and mycophenolate. My knee joints in particular became very painful, limiting my mobility. I used co-codamol before my regular appointment with my Heptologist.

I described the symptoms to him and he diagnosed myalgia.

He reduced the Tacrolimus from 2 x 5mg a day to 2 x 4mg. He was reluctant, as my blood results were excellent. He asked that I did another test a month after the reduction, in order to gauge the results.

Although not perfect, with exercise and painkillers, it eased the pain and my next set of bloods were fine.

Good luck with everything.

Mark

[RPRocker in reply to TT-2018]

Thanks

[Kristian]

Yes, just over a year after my transplant I developed gout. When I raised this with my consultant he said that it was known for Tacrolimus to cause that.

Next time you have a clinic appointment make sure you raise it with them so they can consider whether a change in meds or change in dose may be required.

[RPRocker in reply to Kristian]

I wii definately do that. Thanks

[Kristian in reply to RPRocker]

There is also a bit of a risk of osteoporosis too.

[Isabelle2]

Yes, yes, yes ! About a month post transplant - bain of my life. It’s late - will answer properly tomorrow.

Isabelle