Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my mycophenolate

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your mycophenolate using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for mycophenolate, Canadian Prescription Savings for mycophenolate, mycophenolate Drug Coupons, mycophenolate Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is mycophenolate available in?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate is available as a 180 and 360 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is mycophenolate used for?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate is an immunosuppressan used for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection.

Question 4

How does mycophenolate work?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate is an immunosuppressant that lowers the activity of your immune system. You need a suppressed (lowered) immune system after receiving a kidney transplant so your body doesn’t reject the new kidney.

Question 5

How do I take mycophenolate?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate is typically taken by mouth twice day.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take mycophenolate?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have hypersensitivity to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid or any component of the drug product.

Question 7

mycophenolate Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of mycophenolate include:  Constipation Nausea UTI, bladder infection Diarrhea Trouble sleeping Vomiting Upset stomach Low blood count, anemia Viral infection (cytomegalovirus or CMV)

Question 8

mycophenolate Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with mycophenolate. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following. Stomach bleeding: black, tarry stool or bright red blood in vomit or stool

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on mycophenolate

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with mycophenolate:  Antacids with Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide – Decreases concentrations of MPA; concomitant use is not recommended. Azathioprine – Competition for purine metabolism; concomitant administration is not recommended Cholestyramine, Bile Acid Sequestrates, Oral Activated Charcoal, and Other Drugs that Interfere with Enterohepatic Recirculation – May decrease MPA concentrations; concomitant use is not recommended. Sevelamer – May decrease MPA concentrations; concomitant use is not recommended Cyclosporine – May decrease MPA concentrations; exercise caution when switching from cyclosporine to other drugs or from other drugs to cyclosporine Norfloxacin and Metronidazole – May decrease MPA concentrations; concomitant use with both drugs is not recommended Rifampin – May decrease MPA concentrations; concomitant use is not recommended unless the benefit outweighs the risk Hormonal Contraceptives – May reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Additional barrier contraceptive methods must be used Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Ganciclovir, Valganciclovir, and Other Drugs that Undergo Renal Tubular Secretion – May increase concentrations of mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG) and coadministered drug; monitor blood cell counts

Question 10

Who makes mycophenolate?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is mycophenolate safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

mycophenolate use during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of first trimester pregnancy loss and congenital malformations. Avoid if safer treatment options are available. Females of reproductive potential must be counseled regarding pregnancy prevention and planning. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to mycophenolate during pregnancy and those becoming pregnant within 6 weeks of discontinuing mycophenolate treatment. To report a pregnancy or obtain information about the registry, visit Mycophenolate or call 1-800-617-8191.

Question 12

What is the brand name for mycophenolate?

Accepted Answer

MYFORTICCELLCEPT

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my mycophenolate prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your mycophenolate prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient mycophenolate savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient mycophenolate savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for mycophenolate	Canadian Prescription Savings* for mycophenolate	mycophenolate Drug Coupon*	mycophenolate Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of mycophenolate?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for mycophenolate	Canadian Prescription Savings* for mycophenolate	mycophenolate Drug Coupon*	mycophenolate Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the mycophenolate savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the mycophenolate drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for mycophenolate, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the mycophenolate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, mycophenolate is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed mycophenolate for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the mycophenolate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the mycophenolate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for mycophenolate

If you are having trouble paying for your mycophenolate medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for mycophenolate you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
mycophenolate is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers mycophenolate
If mycophenolate is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for mycophenolate

If you are having trouble paying for your mycophenolate medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for mycophenolate you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers mycophenolate
If mycophenolate is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for mycophenolate

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your mycophenolate treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for mycophenolate you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for mycophenolate
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.