Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Tacrolimus Ophthalmic is used in dogs for KCS refractory to cyclosporine. Routes documented in dogs: Ophthalmic. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Tacrolimus Ophthalmic in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Protopic Ophthalmic Compounded
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic | Must be compounded | Apply 0.02-0.03% ointment to affected eye(s) q12h | Chronic use; may see improvement in 2-4 weeks | KCS refractory to cyclosporine | Strong | Adkins, E.A., Hendrix, D.V.H., Stuffle, J.L., et al. (2003) An Investigation of the Safety And Efficacy Of Topical Ophthalmic Application Of Tacrolimus In Dogs. 34th Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, p. 39. Coeur D'Alene, ID, USA. — Verified against Veterinary Ophthalmology (Gelatt), 6th Ed, p.450 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Veterinary Ophthalmology — ISBN 9781119441830, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119441830 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (%) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | TOPICAL | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.786 | • Apply topical ointment (0.1%) to localized lesions on affected areas of skin. It has |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Calcineurin inhibitor 10-100x more potent than cyclosporine. Inhibits T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation, reducing lacrimal gland inflammation.
Used for KCS refractory to cyclosporine ophthalmic. Must be compounded. More effective than cyclosporine in some cases. Mild local irritation possible.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Tacrolimus Ophthalmic dose range in dogs, with cited source references: Ophthalmic Must be compounded Apply 0.02-0.03% ointment to affected eye(s) q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Tacrolimus Ophthalmic in dogs: Ophthalmic.
Cited course lengths for Tacrolimus Ophthalmic in dogs include: Chronic use; may see improvement in 2-4 weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Tacrolimus Ophthalmic is indicated in dogs for: KCS refractory to cyclosporine.
These are general warnings for Tacrolimus Ophthalmic across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Used for KCS refractory to cyclosporine ophthalmic. Must be compounded. More effective than cyclosporine in some cases. Mild local irritation possible.
Why a species-specific page? Tacrolimus Ophthalmic pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.