Precautions
Mycophenolate (Myfortic) is used with other medications to help prevent the body from rejecting kidney transplants. Mycophenolate is in a class of medications called immunosuppressive agents. It works by weakening the body's immune system so it will not attack and reject the transplanted organ. How should this medicine be used?
How should mycophenolate be used with other medications?
Mycophenolate is usually given with cyclosporine ( Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication. Mycophenolate is available under the following different brand names: CellCept, Myfortic, and MMF.
What is the brand name for mycophenolate?
Mycophenolate (CellCept) is not the same as Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) and is absorbed by your body differently. These two medications are dosed differently and are not interchangeable. This means you can't just replace mycophenolate (CellCept) with Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) without your provider's guidance.
Is mycophenolate (Cellcept) the same as Myfortic (mycophenolic acid)?
Mycophenolate mofetil capsules is a prescription medicine to prevent rejection (antirejection medicine) in people who have received a kidney, heart or liver transplant. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules is used with other medicines containing cyclosporine and corticosteroids.
What is mycophenolate mofetil capsules used for?
Is mycophenolate a corticosteroid?
Mycophenolate mofetil, the main ingredient of CellCept, is one among the non-steroid medications being considered as an alternative to prednisone in treating sarcoidosis.
Is mycophenolate mofetil a chemotherapy drug?
No, mycophenolate (CellCept) is not chemotherapy. Medications known as chemotherapy work by stopping the growth of fast growing cancer cells. Mycophenolate (CellCept) works on lymphocytes (white blood cells) to lower the activity of your immune system.
Is mycophenolate a strong immunosuppressant?
Superior efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil compared to azathioprine, in combination with cyclosporine and prednisone, in the prevention of acute rejection in organ transplantation has made mycophenolate mofetil one of the standard immunosuppressive drugs after transplantation.
Is mycophenolate a high risk medication?
There is a high risk that mycophenolate will cause miscarriage (loss of the pregnancy) during the first 3 months of pregnancy or will cause the baby to be born with birth defects (problems that are present at birth). You should not take mycophenolate if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
What are the long term side effects of mycophenolate?
Commonly reported side effects of mycophenolate mofetil include: asthma, herpes simplex infection, infection, metabolic acidosis, oral candidiasis, pleural effusion, respiratory tract infection, systemic cytomegalovirus disease, urinary tract infection, viremia, abdominal pain, acne vulgaris, anemia, anxiety, asthenia, ...
How long can you be on mycophenolate?
Conclusions: Mycophenolate mofetil is safe for long-term usage and is recommended for treatment of refractory panuveitis or posterior uveitis with uncontrolled inflammation despite high prednisolone maintenance dosage (>15 mg/day) or toxicity or lack of efficacy of other immuno-suppressive agents.
What to avoid while on immunosuppressants?
Basic Guidelines to Follow Avoid unpasteurized beverages, such as fruit juice, milk and raw milk yogurt. Avoid salad bars and buffets. Refrigerate pate, cold hot dog or deli meat (including dry-cured salami and deli prepared salads containing these items), eggs or seafood.
What are the three classes of immunosuppressant drugs?
Types of immunosuppressants include:Biologics such as adalimumab (Humira®) and infliximab (Remicade®).Calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus (Envarsus XR® or Protopic) and cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral® or Sandimmune®).Corticosteroids (prednisone).More items...•
What should you not take with mycophenolate?
Certain products may make it harder for your body to absorb mycophenolate if they are taken at the same time. Do not take this medication at the same time as antacids containing aluminum and/or magnesium, cholestyramine, colestipol, or calcium-free phosphate binders (such as aluminum products, lanthanum, sevelamer).
Does mycophenolate make you gain weight?
Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported in clinical studies of CellCept. However, swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs can occur with this drug. This extra fluid in your body can make it seem like you've gained weight. Weight gain is also a possible symptom of organ rejection.
Does mycophenolate cause memory loss?
Tell your doctor if you experience vision problems, loss of coordination or memory loss, which could be signs Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), a potential complication of taking mycophenolate. If you become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
Can I take vitamins with mycophenolate?
Interactions between your drugs No interactions were found between mycophenolate mofetil and Vitamin B12. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Is mycophenolate (CellCept) chemotherapy?
No, mycophenolate (CellCept) is not chemotherapy. Medications known as chemotherapy work by stopping the growth of fast growing cancer cells. Mycop...
Should I get the flu shot while I'm taking mycophenolate (CellCept)?
After your transplant, plan on getting your yearly flu shot unless your provider tells you otherwise. Make sure you get the inactivated (not live)...
What happens if I take mycophenolate (CellCept) with food?
Food can change the amount of mycophenolate (CellCept) that is absorbed by your body. The makers of mycophenolate (CellCept) recommend that you tak...
What should I do if I forget a dose of mycophenolate (CellCept)?
If you miss a dose of mycophenolate (CellCept), take it as soon as you remember. If your next scheduled is less than 2 hours away, skip the missed...
Can mycophenolate (CellCept) be taken during pregnancy?
Mycophenolate (CellCept) can harm an unborn baby during pregnancy. To prevent this, your provider will have you take a pregnancy test before starti...
What is mycophenolate used for?
Uses. Mycophenolate is used to treat several different conditions, including: lupus and other connective tissue disorders , including scleroderma (skle-ro-derm-a) conditions in which there’s inflammation of blood vessels, such as vasculitis (vask-you-lie-tis).
How often should I take mycophenolate?
Though it is also manufactured as an injectable infusion and an oral solution. Usually you’ll be advised to take one dose a day for the first week. This will then go up to two doses a day as your medication is increased.
How long should I wait to stop taking mycophenolate?
Men are advised to wait 13 weeks before they stop using contraception. This allows the drug to fully leave your system. If you’re taking mycophenolate and you think you or your partner may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately, they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Can you take mycophenolate if it doesn't work?
Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you about the correct dose. It’s important to keep taking mycophenolate even if it doesn’t seem to be working at first . It’s also important to keep taking it when your symptoms start to improve, as this will help control your condition.
Can mycophenolate interact with other drugs?
Effects on other treatments. Mycophenolate may be prescribed along with other drugs to treat your condition. But some drugs can interact with mycophenolate. Before you start any new medication it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor first to make sure the treatments are okay to take together.
Can mycophenolate cause liver problems?
Mycophenolate can affect the blood count and can sometimes cause liver or kidney problems. As a precaution, your doctor will arrange for you to have a blood test before you start treatment and regular blood tests while you’re taking mycophenolate.
Does mycophenolate affect fertility?
It does not affect your fertility, but it can affect your unborn child. Your doctor may discuss your future plans for a family before prescribing mycophenolate. Whether you’re a man or woman, you’ll be advised to use one, if not two, methods of contraception while you’re being treated with mycophenolate.
How does mycophenolate work?
How mycophenolate (CellCept) works. Mycophenolate (CellCept) is an immunosuppressant that lowers the activity of your immune system. You need a suppressed (lowered) immune system after receiving an organ transplant so your body doesn't reject the new organ.
How long does it take for mycophenolate to lower blood count?
Reduction of blood cell counts usually happens one to six months after your transplant.
Is mycophenolate a chemo drug?
No, mycophenolate (CellCept) is not chemotherapy. Medications known as chemotherapy work by stopping the growth of fast growing cancer cells. Mycophenolate (CellCept) works on lymphocytes (white blood cells) to lower the activity of your immune system.
Can you take Telmisartan and Tofacitinib together?
Telmisartan. Tofacitinib. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Does mycophenolate interact with other medications?
Mycophenolate (CellCept) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking.
What is mycophenolate used for?
Mycophenolate is also used to treat Crohn's disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
What are the side effects of mycophenolate?
Mycophenolate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: 1 constipation 2 stomach pain or swelling 3 nausea 4 vomiting 5 difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep 6 pain, especially in the back, muscles, or joints 7 headache 8 gas 9 prickling, tingling, or burning feeling on the skin 10 muscle stiffness or weakness
How long can you keep mycophenolate suspension?
Mycophenolate suspension may also be stored in a refrigerator. Do not freeze mycophenolate suspension. Dispose of any unused mycophenolate suspension after 60 days. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.
How often should I take mycophenolate?
It is usually taken twice a day on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after eating or drinking, unless your doctor tells you otherwise). Take mycophenolate at about the same times every day, and try to space your doses about 12 hours apart.
How long after stopping mycophenolate can I take birth control?
You must use acceptable birth control during your treatment, and for 6 weeks after you stop taking mycophenolate.
Can I take mycophenolate while pregnant?
Mycophenolate must not be taken by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. There is a high risk that mycophenolate will cause miscarriage (loss of the pregnancy) during the first 3 months of pregnancy or will cause the baby to be born with birth defects (problems that are present at birth). You should not take mycophenolate ...
Can you use mycophenolate with birth control?
Your doctor will tell you which forms of birth control are acceptable for you to use. Mycophenolate may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills), so it is especially important to use a second form of birth control along with this type of contraceptive.
What is mycophenolate used for?
Mycophenolate is an immunosuppressive agent used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney, liver, or hear transplant. Mycophenolate is usually given with cyclosporine ( Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication. Mycophenolate is available under the following different brand names: CellCept, Myfortic, and MMF.
What are the side effects of mycophenolate?
Postmarketing side effects of mycophenolate reported include: BK virus -associated nephropathy. Congenital malformations, including ear, facial, cardiac and nervous system malformations and an increased incidence of first trimester pregnancy.
How many drugs interact with mycophenolate?
Mycophenolate has serious interactions with at least 83 different drugs. Mycophenolate has moderate interactions with at least 125 different drugs.
Can MPA be used for hepatic transplant?
MPA not indicated for hepatic or cardiac transplants. Use may be rarely associated with gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastrointestinal ( GI) bleeding and/or perforation. Safety and effectiveness of MPA for de novo pediatric renal transplant not established. Neutropenia may occur (may require dose reduction).
How to use mycophenolate mofetil oral
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking mycophenolate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Are you currently using mycophenolate mofetil oral?
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Can mycophenolate cause diarrhea?
This medicine may cause diarrhea. If you get diarrhea, talk with your doctor about ways to lower this effect. Do not stop taking this medicine (mycophenolate mofetil tablets) without talking with your doctor.
Can you take mycophenolate while pregnant?
Use of this medicine (mycophenolate mofetil tablets) during pregnancy may cause birth defects or death of the unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, you must use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine (mycophenola te mofetil tablets). Your doctor must talk with you about how to avoid getting ...
Can you take mycophenolate mofetil with all your medications?
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (mycophenola te mofetil tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems.
Can mofetil cause kidney failure?
Some people treated with this medicine (mycophenolate mofetil tablets) have had very bad kidney problems caused by a certain viral infection (BK virus). In people who have had a kidney transplant, BK virus infection may cause loss of the kidney.
Where does mycophenolate come from?
Mycophenolate can be derived from the fungi Penicillium stoloniferum, P. brevicompactum and P. echinulatum. Mycophenolate mofetil is metabolised in the liver to the active moiety mycophenolic acid. It reversibly inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that controls the rate of synthesis of guanine monophosphate in the de novo pathway of purine synthesis used in the proliferation of B and T lymphocytes. Other cells recover purines via a separate salvage pathway and are thus able to escape the effect.
What are the side effects of mycophenolate?
Common adverse drug reactions (≥ 1% of people) include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, joint pain; infections, leukopenia, or anemia reflect the immunosuppressive and myelosuppressive nature of the drug. Mycophenolate sodium is also commonly associated with fatigue, headache, cough and/or breathing issues. Intravenous (IV) administration of mycophenolate mofetil is also commonly associated with thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. Infrequent adverse effects (0.1–1% of people) include esophagitis, gastritis, gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, and/or invasive cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. More rarely, pulmonary fibrosis or various neoplasia occur: melanoma, lymphoma, other malignancies having an occurrences of 1 in 20 to 1 in 200, depending on the type, with neoplasia in the skin being the most common site. Several cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have also been reported.
What is the morpholino ethyl ester of mycophenolic acid?
Mycophenolate mofetil is the morpholino ethyl ester of mycophenolic acid; the ester masks the carboxyl group. Mycophenolate mofetil is reported to have a pKa values of 5.6 for the morpholino moiety and 8.5 for the phenolic group.
How does mycophenolic acid work?
It works by blocking inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), which is needed by lymphocytes to make guanosine. Mycophenolic acid was initially discovered by Italian Bartolomeo Gosio in 1893. It was rediscovered in 1945 and 1968.
What is MPA used for?
Mycophenolic acid ( MPA) is an immunosuppressant medication used to prevent rejection following organ transplantation and to treat autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's disease and lupus. Specifically it is used following kidney, heart, and liver transplantation. It can be given by mouth or by injection into a vein.
Does mycophenolic acid inhibit DNA replication?
Thus, use of mycophenolic acid leads to a relatively selective inhibition of DNA replication in T cells and B cells .
Can mycophenolate be used in place of azathioprine?
Mycophenolate is potent and can, in many contexts, be used in place of the older anti-proliferative azathioprine.
Description
Mycophenolate is used in combination with other medications to keep your body from attacking and rejecting your transplanted organ (such as kidney, liver, heart).
May Treat: Cardiac transplant rejection · Kidney transplant rejection · Liver transplant rejection
Brand Names: CellCept
Drug Class: DMARD - Immunosuppressives · Immunosuppressive - Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult your doctor. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.
May Treat: Cardiac transplant rejection · Kidney transplant rejection · Liver transplant rejection
Brand Names: CellCept
Drug Class: DMARD - Immunosuppressives · Immunosuppressive - Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult your doctor. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.
Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Call MD for fatigue/sore throat/infection/bleeding
- Avoid pregnancy, causing pregnancy or nursing.
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Call MD for fatigue/sore throat/infection/bleeding
- Avoid pregnancy, causing pregnancy or nursing.
- May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution
- May reduce effectiveness of hormone contraceptives
- Avoid sun lamps/prolonged direct sun
- Use sunscreen
- Report change in thinking /vision/balance/speech
- For capsule products : Swallow whole. Do not break/chew/crush/dissolve.
- For suspension, reconstituted, oral products : Shake well & measure with dosing spoon/cup/syringe.
Research
Pharmacology
Effects
Interactions
- Inactive ingredients in Mycophenolate mofetil capsules, USP 250 mg include croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone (K-90) and pregelatinized starch. The capsule shells contain black iron oxide, FD&C Blue #2, gelatin, red iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron o…
Results
- Mycophenolate mofetil has been demonstrated in experimental animal models to prolong the survival of allogeneic transplants (kidney, heart, liver, intestine, limb, small bowel, pancreatic islets, and bone marrow). Mycophenolate mofetil has also been shown to reverse ongoing acute rejection in the canine renal and rat cardiac allograft models. Mycophenolate mofetil also inhibit…
Use
- Mycophenolate mofetil is rapidly absorbed following oral administration and hydrolyzed to form MPA, which is the active metabolite. MPA is a potent, selective, uncompetitive, and reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and therefore inhibits the de novo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis without incorporation into DNA. Because T- and B-ly…
Contraindications
- Secondary peaks in the plasma MPA concentration-time profile are usually observed 6 to 12 hours postdose. The coadministration of cholestyramine (4 g tid) resulted in approximately a 40% decrease in the MPA AUC (largely as a consequence of lower concentrations in the terminal portion of the profile). These observations suggest that enterohepatic recirculation contributes t…
Society and culture
- Increased plasma concentrations of Mycophenolate mofetil metabolites (MPA 50% increase and MPAG about a 3 fold to 6 fold increase) are observed in patients with renal insufficiency (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations).
Adverse effects
- Mean MPA AUC values following administration of 1 g bid intravenous Mycophenolate mofetil over 2 hours to renal transplant patients for 5 days were about 24% higher than those observed after oral administration of a similar dose in the immediate posttransplant phase. In hepatic transplant patients, administration of 1 g bid intravenous Mycophenolate mofetil followed by 1.…
Prognosis
- Two 500 mg tablets have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg capsules. Five mL of the 200 mg/mL constituted oral suspension have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg capsules.
Side effects
- Plasma MPA AUC observed after single-dose (1 g) intravenous dosing to volunteers (n = 4) with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR < 25 mL/min/1.73 m 2) was 62.4 μgh/mL (± 19.3). Multiple dosing of Mycophenolate mofetil in patients with severe chronic renal impairment has not been studied (see PRECAUTIONS, Patients with Renal Impairment and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATI…
Medical uses
- The Mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension dose of 600 mg/m 2 bid (up to a maximum of 1 g bid) achieved mean MPA AUC values in pediatric patients similar to those seen in adult renal transplant patients receiving Mycophenolate mofetil capsules at a dose of 1 g bid in the early posttransplant period. There was wide variability in the data. As observed in adults, early posttra…
Treatment
- The safety and efficacy of Mycophenolate mofetil in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine for the prevention of organ rejection were assessed in randomized, double-blind, multicenter trials in renal (3 trials), in cardiac (1 trial), and in hepatic (1 trial) adult transplant patients.
Administration
- The cumulative incidence of 12 month graft loss or patient death is presented below. No advantage of Mycophenolate mofetil with respect to graft loss or patient death was established. Numerically, patients receiving Mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day and 3 g/day experienced a better outcome than controls in all three studies; patients receiving Mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day exp…