Key facts about Mycophenolate
What dosages is Mycophenolate available in?
Mycophenolate is available as a 250 mg oral capsule, 500 mg oral tablet, and 200 mg/ml oral suspension.
What is Mycophenolate used for?
Mycophenolate is an antiproliferative used for prevention of kidney, heart, or liver transplant rejection in people ages 3 months and older. It is typically taken with other anti-rejection medications.
How does Mycophenolate work?
Mycophenolate is an antiproliferative medication that works as an immunosuppressant (a medication that weakens your immune system). The medication lowers the activity of your immune system by blocking your body from making certain immune system cells. This helps prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
How do I take Mycophenolate?
Mycophenolate is typically taken by mouth twice daily. Your dosage will be determined based on the type of transplant, how well the medication is working for you and whether you’re having side effects. For people with a kidney transplant, your provider will also adjust your dose based on whether you have kidney problems.
Is it safe for me to take Mycophenolate?
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 a known hypersensitivity to Mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid or any component of the drug product.
Mycophenolate Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Mycophenolate include:
- Muscle, neck, or back pain
- High blood pressure
- Swelling
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- High blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- Shortness of breath
- Constipation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Stomach pain
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood potassium levels
- Viral infections
Mycophenolate Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Mycophenolate. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: difficulty breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Serious infection: fever; cough; difficulty breathing; diarrhea; weakness; sweating; chills; scaly, itchy, or burning skin; confusion, changes in personality, changes in vision, headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, seizures
- Bleeding: blood in your urine or stool, unexplained bruising, bleeding that takes longer than usual to stop
- Cancer
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Mycophenolate
The following medications may interact with Mycophenolate:
- Drugs that may interfere with systemic exposure and reduce Mycophenolate efficacy – antacids with magnesium or aluminum hydroxide, proton pump inhibitors, drugs that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation, telmisartan, calcium-free phosphate binders
- Mycophenolate may reduce effectiveness of oral contraceptives – Use of additional barrier contraceptive methods is recommended
Who makes Mycophenolate?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Mycophenolate safe in pregnancy?
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.
