Mycophenolate: Indications, How to Use, Side Effects, Precautions and Interactions

It is an immunosuppressive medicine derived from Penicillium stolonifera.

Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug of mycophenolate (MPA). After oral administration, mycophenolate mofetil is rapidly absorbed and hydrolyzed (converted) to MPA.

MPA is the active metabolite that has pharmacological activity.

Indications

Mycophenolate is used with other medications to prevent your body from attacking and rejecting your transplanted organ (kidney, liver, or heart).

It belongs to a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening your body’s defense system (immune system) to help your body accept the new organ as if it were yours.

How to use Mycophenolate Mofetil

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking mycophenolate. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

 

Swallow the entire medication. Do not crush or chew. If you take the capsules, do not open them before swallowing them.

If the capsule separates, avoid inhaling the powder and direct contact with the skin or eyes. If a connection occurs, wash the affected area of ​​the skin thoroughly with soap and water or rinse your eyes with running water. Consult your pharmacist for more details.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, it is also based on body size.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time every day.

It is essential to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking mycophenolate without first talking to your doctor.

Certain products can make it harder for your body to absorb mycophenolate if taken simultaneously.

Do not take this medication simultaneously as antacids containing aluminum and magnesium, cholestyramine, colestipol, or calcium-free phosphate binders (such as aluminum products, lanthanum, and sevelamer). Ask your pharmacist for more details.

Do not change the brands or forms of mycophenolate unless directed by your doctor.

Side effects

It can cause constipation, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, gas, tremors, or trouble sleeping. If any of these effects last or worsen, inform your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he has judged it beneficial for you. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any severe side effects, including unusual tiredness, fast/irregular heartbeat, easy bleeding/bruising, and swelling of the feet or ankles.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects, such as abdominal / stomach pain that does not go away, black stools, vomiting that looks like coffee beans, chest pain, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting a rare (but potentially severe) brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these side effects:

Clumsiness, loss of coordination/balance, weakness, sudden change in your thinking (confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory loss), difficulty in speaking/walking, seizures, and vision changes.

A severe allergic reaction to this medication is rare.

However, seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, which include: rash, itching/swelling (especially on the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice other effects not mentioned above.

Precautions

Before taking Mycophenolate mofetil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, mycophenolic acid, or mycophenolate sodium, or if you have any other allergies.

This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Consult your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.

Especially for cancer, liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C), kidney disease, current/past infections (such as shingles, herpes zoster), stomach / intestinal problems (such as ulcers), rare genetic disorders (such as the Lesch-Nyhan syndromes) or Kelley-Seegmiller).

Mycophenolate can increase the chance of getting infections or worsen current disorders.

Avoid contact with people who have infections that can spread to other people (such as chickenpox, measles, and flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to a disease or for more information.

You do not have immunizations/vaccines without your doctor’s consent. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as the flu shot inhaled through the nose).

To reduce the chances of cutting, hurting, or injuring yourself, be careful of sharp objects such as razor blades and nail clippers, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products).

The use of this medication during pregnancy is not recommended. It could harm an unborn baby. It is essential to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for six weeks after stopping treatment with mycophenolate.

Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Women of childbearing potential should talk to their doctor about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage).

Women of childbearing age should have a pregnancy test before starting this medication, after 8 to 10 days of treatment, and during routine follow-up visits.

Women of childbearing age should also use reliable contraception during treatment and at least six weeks after stopping treatment with mycophenolate. See also the Interactions with other medicines section.

It is unknown if this medicine passes into breast milk and may negatively affect the infant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while using this medication. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

Interactions with other medications can change how your pills work or increase the risk of severe side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including over-the-counter and non-prescription medicines and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this medicine include azathioprine, rifampin, and other medications that weaken the immune system / increase the risk of infection.

This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptive control, such as pills, patches, or rings.

This could cause pregnancy. If you are using hormonal contraceptives, you should use an additional non-hormonal method of birth control while using this medication. Discuss your options with your doctor or pharmacist.

Also, tell your doctor if you have any new spots or intermenstrual bleeding because these may be signs that your contraceptive method is not working well.