HomeAnswersGeneral Medicinelip swellingDoes using Tacrolimus ointment cause cancer?

Is it possible to get cancer from using Tacrolimus ointment for lip swelling?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 23, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Is Tacrolimus ointment 0.03 % safe, or might it cause cancer? I have lip swelling, and my doctor suggested using it twice daily. However, I am worried as I read that it has a higher risk of causing cancer. Please help.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Tacrolimus ointment is safe for you to use. I will state the reasons for the same:

1. It is an ointment and not a tablet. Oral absorption leading to systemic toxicity is far less in topical ointment than in oral tablets, at least by 95 %. So you are safe.

2. Using Tacrolimus for very long durations for more than 3-4 months may cause toxicity like cancer development. However, using it for a short duration, like 10-15 days, is safe.

3. Cancer development with Tacrolimus is associated with very few population proportions. So, it is different for everyone using Tacrolimus to develop such complications. You can get a clear understanding with an example that not all smokers develop lung cancer, and not all lung cancer patients are smokers (nonsmokers also develop lung cancer). The association is not very significant.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks a lot for clarifying.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Glad I could clarify your doubt.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

My doctor suggested I use it for four weeks and then consult him. Also, as I apply it to my lip, I take adequate precautions of washing my hands, but there is always a chance of the ointment touching the saliva, which goes to the stomach. Is that fine?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Yes, you are right. Little medicine touches saliva, but it is not very important. Therefore, it would not affect you. Do not worry.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I can see a lot of improvements after using Tacrolimus. Can I stop using it now, or will there be any adverse effect of stopping it? I used it for a week.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Glad to know that you have seen a lot of improvement.

1. Abruptly stopping Tacrolimus will not cause any systemic side effects. Whether Tacrolimus should be stopped or should be continued will be decided by your primary treating doctor who prescribed you Tacrolimus because the doctor had examined you and then advised the medicine. I am only talking to you over chat and have not seen the lesion. So, someone other than me should be the right doctor to decide whether it should be stopped. However, abruptly stopping it will not cause any systemic side effects that I can tell you. But there is a slight possibility of disease relapse on preventing Tacrolimus, which your primary doctor will be a better judge for as he has examined you.

2. I have seen your CBC (complete blood count) report. It is entirely normal. MPV (mean platelet volume) suggests the size of platelets. It is marginally high, which is insignificant and does not affect your health

3. Your uric acid is a little high. As of now, no medicine is required for that.

4. Decrease food items rich in uric acid, i.e., pulses, seafood, alcohol, etc. Secondly, repeat serum uric acid levels after two months. It should normalize. If it does not, we will start one medicine that will control uric acid levels within a month.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply.

Can you please suggest if there is any way to increase platelet levels naturally, like by having some food or fruits?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Some studies suggest that goat milk, papaya, and bitter gourd help increase platelets, but there is no scientific evidence for the same. However, I recommend not worrying about platelets because platelet counts fluctuate up and down regularly for everyone. So, there is nothing to worry about until the platelets are less than 80,000 per microliter of blood or there are signs of low platelet count like bruises, bleeding, etc.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you.

One night, when I woke up from sleep, I realized I had two long scratches on my hand. I did not recognize if I had ever scratched myself. Is that a symptom of low platelet?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

No, that is not a symptom of low platelet count. Do not worry.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks a lot for the reply.

Answered by Dr. Arpit Varshney

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Most welcome.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arpit Varshney
Dr. Arpit Varshney

General Medicine

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