Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Asia Pac Allergy.  2015 Jul;5(3):181-186. 10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.3.181.

Intravenous tacrolimus and cyclosporine induced anaphylaxis: what is next?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea. addchang@snu.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
  • 3Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea.

Abstract

Tacrolimus and cyclosporine have been used in various formulations, but their hypersensitivity reactions are rare in practice. Castor oil derivatives are nonionic surfactants used in aqueous preparations of hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients. Castor oil derivatives that can be used as additives to tacrolimus and cyclosporine may play a role in the development of hypersensitivity reactions, especially anaphylaxis. Various immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms have been implicated in hypersensitivity reactions induced by castor oil derivatives. Physicians should be aware that not only the drug itself, but also its additives or metabolites could induce hypersensitivity reactions. We report a case of anaphylaxis caused by vitamin K (phytonadine), serotonin antagonist (granisetron), intravenous tacrolimus, and cyclosporine. Interestingly, the patient tolerated oral cyclosporine, which did not contain Cremophor EL or polysorbate 80.

Keyword

Anaphylaxis; Tacrolimus; Cyclosporine; Polyethoxylated Castor Oil; Cremophor; Polysorbates

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis*
Castor Oil
Cyclosporine*
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Polysorbates
Serotonin
Surface-Active Agents
Tacrolimus*
Vitamin K
Castor Oil
Cyclosporine
Polysorbates
Serotonin
Surface-Active Agents
Tacrolimus
Vitamin K
Full Text Links
  • APA
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2026 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr