Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) is a transplant medication that helps prevent rejection after a kidney transplant in people 5 years and older. It's an immunosuppressant, which means that it works by weakening the immune system. Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) is a tablet that's taken by mouth two times a day. The tablets have a special coating on them, which can help lessen gastrointestinal-related side effects such as upset stomach and diarrhea. Your transplant team might refer to the medication by its generic name, mycophenolic acid, or by its brand name, Myfortic.
Prevention of kidney transplant rejection in people 5 years and older
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) is a type of immunosuppressant medication called an antiproliferative agent. The medication lowers the activity of your immune system by blocking your body from making certain immune system cells. You need a suppressed or weakened immune system after you receive a kidney transplant so that your body doesn't reject the new kidney.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bladder pain
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
body aches or pain
bone pain
burning or stinging of the skin
cloudy urine
confusion
convulsions
decrease in the amount of urine
decreased frequency or amount of urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
ear congestion
fainting
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
fever or chills
flushed, dry skin
frequent urge to urinate
fruit-like breath odor
headache
incoherent speech
increase in heart rate
increased blood pressure
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
loss of voice
lower back, side, or stomach pain
metallic taste
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasms or twitching
muscle weakness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, hands, or feet
painful blisters on the trunk of the body
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid breathing
red, tender, or oozing skin at incision
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain or cramps
sunken eyes
sweating
swelling
swollen glands
thirst
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing at rest or with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
weakness or heaviness of the legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acid or sour stomach
back pain
belching
bleeding gums
blemishes on the skin
bruising
difficulty moving
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
facial hair growth in females
full feeling
full or round face, neck, or trunk
increased hair growth, especially on the face
increased thirst or urination
indigestion
irritability
irritation in the mouth
itching skin
loose stools
loss of sexual desire or ability
menstrual irregularities
muscle pains or stiffness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
passing gas
redness and swelling of the gums
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
sore mouth or tongue
stomach discomfort or upset
trouble sleeping
upper abdominal or stomach pain
white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Possible to have less stomach upset than if you take mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
Approved for children age 5 years and older
Available as a lower-cost generic
Take mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) every 12 hours on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). Taking the medication on an empty stomach helps it get absorbed into your body more consistently. Follow your prescriber's instructions if they told you to take the medication with food.
Swallow the tablets whole. Don’t cut, crush, or chew them because this can damage the outer coating and affect how the medication works.
Before you get any vaccines, it's important to tell the healthcare professional (HCP) that you're taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic). Your HCP will check that the vaccine is safe for you. Immunosuppressants like mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can make vaccines work less well to protect you from infection. You can also get sick from live vaccines like Varivax (chickenpox).
If you can become pregnant and you're sexually active, speak with your care team about which birth control method to use while you're taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) and for 6 weeks after your last dose. It's important to prevent pregnancy because mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can harm an unborn baby. Your transplant team might order routine pregnancy tests while you're taking this medication.
If you're sexually active, use a condom when you're having sex while you're taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) and for at least 3 months after you stop taking the medication. Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can get into semen and can negatively affect an unborn baby if you get someone pregnant.
Don't donate blood during treatment with mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) and for at least 6 weeks after your last dose of the medication. And don't donate semen during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose. This lowers the risk for harm to unborn babies if the donated blood or semen happens to be given to someone who could get pregnant.
If you forget to take a dose of mycophenolic acid (Myfortic), take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you usually take it. Don't take two doses at the same time because this can raise your risk for side effects. Set up reminders to take the medication as instructed because missing doses can lead to transplant rejection.
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: People who can become pregnant | Currently pregnant
Avoid taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) while pregnant if there are safer treatment options available because the medication can harm an unborn baby if it's taken during pregnancy. Studies show that taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) during pregnancy can raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss) in the first trimester and for birth defects. Talk to your transplant specialist or pharmacist if you have questions about your options for birth control. Discuss with your transplant team about other treatment options if you're interesting in becoming pregnant in the future.
Risk factors: Long-term use
People who take immunosuppressant medications like mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) for a long time might be at higher risk for cancer. These cancers can include skin cancer and lymphomas (cancers of the immune system), among others. Speak with your transplant specialist if you're concerned about the risk for cancer with mycophenolic acid (Myfortic).
To lower your risk for skin cancer, limit your exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light (e.g., tanning beds). Also wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you're outside, even on cloudy days. Be sure to check your skin for any unusual changes and tell your care team if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Risk factors: Taking other immunosuppressants
People who take immunosuppressants like mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) are at higher risk for serious and sometimes life-threatening infections, including those caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In some cases, infections can happen when an inactive germ in your body, like the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) or the hepatitis B virus (HBV), reactivates and makes you sick again.
Be sure to wash your hands often and stay away from people who are sick to lower your risk for infection. Tell your transplant care team right away if you have any symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, night sweats, muscle aches, change in appetite, weight loss, vomiting, or skin rash.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that can lower blood cell counts | Current infection
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can lower your white blood cell counts (the cells that help your body fight infections). The medication can also lower your red blood cell counts (the cells that deliver oxygen to all parts of your body). You'll need regular blood tests done so that your transplant team can check your blood counts during treatment. Your prescriber might lower your mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) dose if your numbers go too low. Tell your transplant care team if you have fever, sore throat, tiredness, weakness, or pale skin that doesn’t go away. These are signs of either having low red and white blood cells in the body.
Risk factors: History of medical problems that affect the digestive system
Some people who took mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) have had serious stomach problems, including ulcers and bleeding. These stomach problems can be dangerous and might require treatment right away. Be sure your transplant team knows if you have a history of ulcers or other digestion-related problems. Get medical help right away if you notice blood in your stool or vomit while you're taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic); these can be signs of a bleed in the digestive tract.
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) weakens the immune system to lower inflammation to help prevent organ rejection. But very rarely, some people have had symptoms of inflammation in the body during treatment with similar medications. Symptoms can include fever, joint or muscle pain, and changes in certain lab results. These symptoms can happen within weeks to months of starting mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) or after dose changes.
Your transplant team will check for signs and symptoms of inflammation during treatment. Tell your care team right away if you have any fever, joint pain, or muscle pain while you're taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic).
Ask your transplant team or pharmacist about all medications and over-the-counter products you want to take with mycophenolic acid (Myfortic), even if you only take them once in a while. Your care team should review your medication list because mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) is known to interact with many medications. These interactions can either make your medications work less well, raise your risk for rejection of your transplanted kidney, or raise your risk for side effects. For example, taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) at the same time as antacids with magnesium and aluminum can cause the immunosuppressant to work less well.
Avoid taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) if you have a genetic condition called hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HPRT) deficiency. This medication can worsen your symptoms, including gout, kidney stones, other kidney problems, or even kidney failure.
Always tell your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist that you're taking an immunosuppressant like mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) before you get any vaccines during treatment. Your HCP and pharmacist will make sure that it's safe for you to get the vaccine.
Transplant medications like mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) can change the way your immune system responds to vaccines. This might make some vaccines work less well to protect you from infection. During treatment, it's important to avoid live vaccines, such as FluMist (the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine) and Varivax (chickenpox vaccine). Since this medication weakens your immune system to prevent organ rejection, it raises your risk for getting sick from the live vaccine itself.
Adults: The typical dose is 720 mg by mouth two times a day, on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after food).
Children age 5 and older (who are at least 6 months post-transplant): The prescriber will calculate the dose based on your child's height and weight. They'll tell you how much your child should take (each dose won't be more than 720 mg). Typically, mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) is taken by mouth two times a day, on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after food).
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
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.
Allergy to mycophenolate (CellCept)
Prevention of kidney transplant rejection in people 5 years and older
To prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney
Rheumatoid arthritis
Prevention of kidney, heart, or liver transplant rejection in people ages 3 months and older; taken with other anti-rejection medications
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