Myfortic

Generic Name: mycophenolic acid
Other Brand Names: mycophenolic acid

What is mycophenolic acid?

Mycophenolic acid is an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants decrease the actions of the body’s immune system.

Mycophenolic acid is used to prevent the body from rejecting a kidney transplant. It is usually combined with cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication.

Mycophenolic acid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mycophenolic acid?

Before taking mycophenolic acid, tell your doctor if you have

  • a stomach ulcer or other stomach disease;

  • had an allergic reaction to any other mycophenolate products including mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);

  • 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.

You may not be able to take mycophenolic acid, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Mycophenolic acid is in the FDA pregnancy category C. Mycophenolic acid has caused birth defects in animals, and therefore is not recommended for use during pregnancy. You should have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week before starting therapy with mycophenolic acid. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used simultaneously before starting treatment, during treatment, and for six weeks following treatment with mycophenolic acid, unless abstinence is the chosen method or if you have had a hysterectomy. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether mycophenolic acid passes into breast milk. Do not take mycophenolic acid without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take mycophenolic acid?

Take mycophenolic acid exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take mycophenolic acid on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Do not crush, chew, or cut the tablets. The tablets have a special coating to protect the stomach from irritation.

It is important to take mycophenolic acid regularly to get the most benefit.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with mycophenolic acid to monitor progress and side effects.

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. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed, and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Notify your doctor if you miss a dose of this medication.

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?

Treatment with mycophenolic acid may increase your risk of infection and the development of lymphoma and other types of cancer. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fever or chills, a sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores, abdominal pain, pale stools, or darkened urine. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mycophenolic acid and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • unusual tiredness or weakness;

  • painful or difficult urination;

  • black, bloody, or tarry stools or blood in vomit;

  • severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or

  • a sudden unusual feeling of discomfort or illness.

Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take mycophenolic acid and notify your doctor if you experience

  • upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;

  • mild diarrhea or constipation;

  • mild weakness;

  • tremor or dizziness;

  • headache;

  • insomnia;

  • swelling of the feet or lower legs; or

  • a skin rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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

Treatment with mycophenolic acid may increase your risk of infection and the development of lymphoma and other types of cancer. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fever or chills, a sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores, abdominal pain, pale stools, or darkened urine. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

Mycophenolic acid has caused birth defects in animals, and therefore is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor may ask that you have a pregnancy test with negative results within 1 week of starting therapy with mycophenolic acid. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used simultaneously before starting treatment, during treatment, and for six weeks following treatment with mycophenolic acid, unless abstinence is the chosen method or if you have had a hysterectomy. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Do not crush, chew, or cut the tablets. The tablets have a special coating to protect the stomach from irritation.

Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having surgery, before starting any other medicines, and before receiving any vaccinations.

Mycophenolic acid may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Limit exposure to sunlight and UV light by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 or higher.

What should I avoid while taking mycophenolic acid?

Mycophenolic acid can lower the activity of the immune system making you more susceptible to infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. In addition, do not receive vaccines that contain a live strain of the virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) and avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live virus. Notify your doctor at the first sign of fever, chills, or a sore throat

Do not receive "live” vaccines during treatment with mycophenolic acid. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with mycophenolic acid. Tell your doctor you are taking mycophenolic acid before receiving any vaccinations.

Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having surgery, before starting any other medicines, and before receiving any vaccinations.

Mycophenolic acid may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Limit exposure to sunlight and UV light by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 or higher.

What other drugs will affect mycophenolic acid?

Before taking mycophenolic acid, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • another immunosuppressant medicine such as azathioprine (Imuran), tacrolimus (Prograf), or daclizumab (Zenapax);

  • cholestyramine (Questran);

  • an antacid (prescription or over-the-counter);

  • acyclovir (Zovirax) or ganciclovir (Cytovene);

  • probenecid (Benemid);

  • phenytoin (Dilantin);

  • theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others);

  • oral contraceptives; or

  • any type of vaccination.

You may not be able to take mycophenolic acid, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mycophenolic acid. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

What happens if I have an overdose of mycophenolic acid?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a mycophenolic acid overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and unusual bleeding or bruising.

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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008