Mycophenolate

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent your body's rejection of a solid organ transplant such as a kidney and heart. It can treat your body's response to a liver transplant.
• It can treat psoriasis and uveitis.

How does it work?

• Mycophenolate helps the body accept a new organ more easily. It decreases the body's response to diseases affecting the immune system.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Tube feeding should be held a couple of hours before and after medicine is given. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
• Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, or colestipol with this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Vaccines may be less effective. Avoid use of live vaccines.
• If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
• There is a risk of skin cancer. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• The risk of cancer is higher after taking this medicine. It may be related to the dose and length of treatment.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust before beginning treatment, during and for 6 weeks after treatment.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood work every week for the first month, every other week for the second and third months, then once monthly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Fever and/or chills, sore throat, sore mouth, pain with urination, or coughing up sputum.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
• Store suspension as directed by pharmacy that makes it.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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