mycophenolic acid

What is the most important information I should know about mycophenolic acid?

What is mycophenolic acid?

Mycophenolic acid is used with other medicines to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant. This medicine is for use in adults and children at least 5 years old.

Mycophenolic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mycophenolic acid?

Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of mycophenolic acid. This medicine can affect your immune system, which may increase your risk of cancer, serious or fatal infections, or kidney transplant failure.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer or problems with digestion;
• hepatitis B or C or other a viral infection (may become active or get worse while you are using mycophenolic acid); or
• a rare inherited enzyme deficiency such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.

Sexually active men and their partners should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose.

You do not need to use additional birth control if you use an intrauterine device (IUD), if you have had a tubal ligation, or if your sexual partner has had a vasectomy.

This medicine comes with patient instructions about the most effective non-hormonal forms of birth control to use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Mycophenolic acid is sometimes given to pregnant women. Your doctor will decide whether you should use this medicine if you are unable to use other needed transplant medications.

How should I take mycophenolic acid?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) are not absorbed equally in the body. Avoid medication errors by using only the brand, form, and strength of this medicine that your doctor has prescribed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking mycophenolic acid?

Avoid taking an antacid together with mycophenolic acid.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using mycophenolic acid. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What are the possible side effects of mycophenolic acid?

• fever of 100.5 degrees F or higher, swollen glands, painful mouth sores, cold or flu symptoms, headache, ear pain;
• stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss;
• weakness on one side of your body, loss of muscle control;
• confusion, thinking problems, loss of interest in things that normally interest you;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pain or tenderness around the transplanted kidney;
• tingly or painful blistering rash on one side of your body;
• swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing around a skin wound; or
• a new skin lesion, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
• low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

• upset stomach, nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• low blood cell counts, infections;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• painful urination; or
• pain after surgery.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect mycophenolic acid?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• azathioprine;
• cholestyramine; or
• antiviral medicine --acyclovir, ganciclovir.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect mycophenolic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about mycophenolic acid.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.01. Revision date: 1/29/2021.