What is mycophenolic acid?
Mycophenolic acid lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body
fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or
kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Mycophenolic acid is used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney transplant. This
medication is usually given with cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication.
Mycophenolic acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mycophenolic acid?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mycophenolic acid or
mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept).
Before using mycophenolic acid, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
a stomach ulcer or other disorders of your stomach or intestines;
-
kidney disease;
-
a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or
-
a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine
phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan and Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby,
especially if used during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Do not use mycophenolic acid
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, you will be required to receive contraceptive
counseling and to start using two forms of birth control 4 weeks before the start of your treatment with
mycophenolic acid. You will also need to have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week before your
treatment begins.
Unless you have been in menopause for at least 12 months in a row, you are considered to be
of child-bearing potential. Adolescent girls who have entered puberty are also considered to be of
child-bearing potential, even if not yet sexually active.
Use two
non-hormone forms of birth control
(such as a condom,
diaphragm, spermicide) to
prevent pregnancy
before and during your treatment with
mycophenolic acid, and for at least 6 weeks after your treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if
you become pregnant.
Mycophenolic acid can make birth control pills less effective.
Ask
your doctor about the most effective non-hormonal forms of birth control and which two are best for
you.
Although mycophenolic acid can cause harm to an unborn baby, not treating the mother with
this medication after a transplant could pose a greater risk to the mother's health. Mycophenolic acid is
sometimes given to pregnant women who are unable to take other needed transplant medications.
Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this medication.
Your name may need to be listed on a national transplant pregnancy registry if you use
mycophenolic acid during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the
pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether mycophenolic acid had any effect on the baby.
It is not known whether mycophenolic acid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not breast-feed a baby while taking mycophenolic acid and for at least 6 weeks after
your treatment ends.
How should I take mycophenolic acid?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Mycophenolic acid is usually given twice a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take mycophenolic acid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a
meal.
Do not crush, chew, cut, or break an enteric-coated pill. Swallow the pill whole. The
enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this
coating.
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) tablets and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) capsules are not
absorbed equally in the body. If you are switched from one brand to the other, take only the pills your
doctor has prescribed. Always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct brand
and type of medicine. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at
the pharmacy.
Mycophenolic acid can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can
make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. You
may also have an increased risk of certain forms of cancer. To be sure your blood cells do not get too
low, your blood will need to be tested on a weekly or monthly basis. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
Store mycophenolic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of mycophenolic acid?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about mycophenolic acid?
Your pharmacist has information about mycophenolic acid written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of mycophenolic acid?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any a serious side effect such as:
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, white patches
in your mouth or throat;
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
bloody, black, or tarry stools;
-
painful or difficult urination;
-
thirst, increased urination, hot and dry skin;
-
chest pain, fast heart rate;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle
weakness, tingly feeling);
-
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme
thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling);
-
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
-
problems with vision, speech, balance, or memory; or
-
weakness in your legs, lack of coordination.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, upset
stomach;
-
headache, dizziness, blurred vision;
-
swelling in your hands or feet;
-
joint or muscle pain, back pain;
-
runny or stuffy nose, cough;
-
anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia); or
-
weight gain.
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 is the most important information I should know about mycophenolic acid?
This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby, especially if used during the first
trimester of pregnancy.
Do not use mycophenolic acid without telling your doctor if you
are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant during treatment.
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, you will be required to use two forms of birth
control to
prevent pregnancy
before and during your treatment with mycophenolic
acid, and for at least 6 weeks after your treatment ends. You will also need to have a negative
pregnancy test within 1 week before you start using this medication.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using mycophenolic acid.
Although mycophenolic acid can cause harm to an unborn baby, not treating the mother after a
transplant could pose a greater risk to the mother's health. Mycophenolic acid is sometimes given to
pregnant women who are unable to take other needed transplant medications. Your doctor will decide
whether you should receive this medication.
Using mycophenolic acid can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from
being around others who are ill. You may also have an increased risk of certain forms of cancer. Your
blood will need to be tested on a weekly or monthly basis while using this medication. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Do not crush, chew, or break an enteric-coated pill. Swallow the pill whole. The
enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this
coating.
What should I avoid while taking mycophenolic acid?
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with mycophenolic acid. The
live vaccine may not work as well during your treatment, and may not fully protect you from disease.
You may still be able to receive a flu shot, but ask your doctor first.
Avoid taking an antacid together with mycophenolic acid. Antacids contain different medicines
and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb mycophenolic acid.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Mycophenolic
acid can increase your risk of skin cancer. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective
clothing if you must be out in the sun.
What other drugs will affect mycophenolic acid?
Before using mycophenolic acid, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
cholestyramine (Questran), colesevelam (Welchol), or colestipol
(Colestid);
-
acyclovir (Zovirax) or ganciclovir (Cytovene); or
-
other medicines that weaken the immune system, such as
azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), or mycophenolate mofetil
(CellCept).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
mycophenolic acid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of mycophenolic acid?
