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Mytesi Coupon - Mytesi 125mg tablet

Mytesi

crofelemer
Used for Diarrhea
Used for Diarrhea

Mytesi (crofelemer) relieves diarrhea caused by your HIV or AIDS medications. It works well, but can be expensive since it's only available as a brand medication. Mytesi (crofelemer) will not treat diarrhea caused by an infection (infectious diarrhea).

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
reviewer
Ashley Wong, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 21, 2021
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsAlternativesLatest newsImagesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Mytesi (crofelemer)?

What is Mytesi (crofelemer) used for?

  • Relief of diarrhea in adults taking HIV/AIDS medications

How Mytesi (crofelemer) works

Mytesi (crofelemer) is an antidiarrheal that works by controlling the amount of water that gets into your stomach. By normalizing the amount of water and salts in the stomach, Mytesi (crofelemer) stops you from getting diarrhea.

Are you looking for information on sevelamer carbonate (Renvela) or sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMytesi
Drug Class Antidiarrheal
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Mytesi (crofelemer)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Upper respiratory tract infections (6%)
  • Chest cold (bronchitis, 4%)
  • Cough (4%)
  • Passing gas (3%)
  • Rise in bilirubin levels (3%)
  • Back/joint pain (3%)
  • Nausea (3%)

Other Side Effects

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Common cold (nasopharyngitis)
  • Muscle pain
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Stomach infection
  • Anxiety
  • Rise in liver enzymes (ALT levels)
  • Bloating (abdominal distension)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

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:

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain

bleeding after defecation

full or bloated feeling

pressure in the stomach

swelling of the abdominal or stomach area

uncomfortable swelling around the anus

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

Body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

ear congestion

fever

headache

loss of voice

nasal congestion

runny nose

sneezing

sore throat

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

back pain

belching

bladder pain

blemishes on the skin

blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

bloody or cloudy urine

cough producing mucus

cracked, dry, scaly skin

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

difficulty with moving

discouragement

dizziness

dry mouth

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

fear or nervousness

feeling sad or empty

frequent urge to urinate

heartburn

indigestion

irritability

loss of appetite

loss of interest or pleasure

lower back or side pain

muscle aches

muscle or bone pain

muscle stiffness

nausea and vomiting

pain in the arms or legs

pain in the groin or genitals

pain in the joints

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

painful blisters on the trunk of the body

passing gas

pimples

sharp back pain just below the ribs

stomach discomfort or upset

tightness in the chest

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

weakness

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Mytesi (crofelemer)

thumbs-up

Pros

Lower risk of constipation compared to other antidiarrheal medications

Comes from a natural source

Generally well tolerated without severe side effects

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Cons

Can't be used for infectious diarrhea

Not an option for people who can't swallow pills because it doesn't come in liquid form

Medications like loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) are more favorable because they are less expensive and can be found over-the-counter

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Mytesi (crofelemer)

pharmacist

  • Swallow the Mytesi (crofelemer) tablet whole. Don’t crush, cut, or chew it because doing so can cause your stomach acid to break down the medication before it reaches your small intestine to help with your diarrhea. This can affect how well the medication works and raise your risk of side effects.

    • Unless your provider tells you otherwise, continue taking your HIV or AIDS medications exactly as prescribed.

      • Diarrhea can cause dehydration so make sure to drink a lot of water. Try to avoid high-sugar drinks or caffeinated beverages because they can make you more dehydrated. If you have severe diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider about special drinks that can keep you hydrated like Pedialyte.

        • Diarrhea can cause stomach pain. Eating foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, wheat, potatoes, crackers, soup, and boiled vegetables, can help ease the pain from diarrhea.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Mytesi (crofelemer)

          Will Mytesi (crofelemer) affect my CD4 count or interact with my current HIV medications?
          Mytesi (crofelemer) will likely not have any effect on your HIV viral load, CD4 counts, or HIV medications. In studies, Mytesi (crofelemer) did not have significant interactions with medications such as nelfinavir (Viracept), zidovudine (Retrovir), and lamivudine (Epivir). You should continue to monitor your labs and take your regular medications as directed by your provider.
          How can I tell if my diarrhea is from my HIV/AIDS medications or from an infection?
          If your diarrhea is caused by an infection, you might experience other symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, and vomiting. Talk to your provider if you are not sure what is causing your diarrhea. Mytesi (crofelemer) should not be used to treat infectious diarrhea because it will not treat your infection and can worsen your condition.
          Can I take Mytesi (crofelemer) if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
          Mytesi (crofelemer) mainly works in the stomach so very little amounts of the medication get absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of this, Mytesi (crofelemer) isn't expected to affect your unborn baby. It's not known if Mytesi (crofelemer) passes into your breast milk, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend breastfeeding if you have HIV since HIV can be passed to your infant through breast milk. Talk to your provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, and they will help you find a safe option for your diarrhea.
          What is in Mytesi (crofelemer) and why is it considered natural?
          The active ingredient in this medication is called crofelemer. Crofelemer comes from a natural source, which is the red bark sap from a tree in the Amazon rainforest. The sap is then purified and made into Mytesi (crofelemer) tablets.
          Will Mytesi (crofelemer) make me constipated?
          Mytesi (crofelemer) works by normalizing your water and salt levels in the stomach, so the chance of constipation is very low. Constipation has been seen in 1% to 2% of people taking Mytesi (crofelemer).
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          What are the risks and warnings for Mytesi (crofelemer)?

          Mytesi (crofelemer) 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-warning

          Worsening diarrhea and delay in appropriate treatment

          If your diarrhea is caused by an infection, taking Mytesi (crofelemer) might delay the correct treatment and make the diarrhea worse. Mytesi (crofelemer) should not be used to treat infectious diarrhea because it only provides relief for diarrheal symptoms. It doesn't treat the infection. If your diarrhea doesn't get better within the first few weeks of taking Mytesi (crofelemer), talk to your provider.

          dosage

          Mytesi (crofelemer) dosage forms

          Typical dosing for Mytesi (crofelemer)

          The typical dose is 125 mg by mouth twice a day, with or without food.

          interactions

          Interactions between Mytesi (crofelemer) and other drugs

          Mytesi (crofelemer) 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. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Mytesi (crofelemer). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

          Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

          alternatives

          What are alternatives to Mytesi (crofelemer)?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Mytesi (crofelemer). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          Mytesi (crofelemer)
          Used for:

          • Relief of diarrhea in adults taking HIV/AIDS medications

          View Prices
          Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine)
          Used for:

          • Add-on therapy for diarrhea for people 13 years and older

          $9.22 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
          Loperamide (Imodium A-D)
          Used for:

          • Controlling symptoms of diarrhea - OTC and prescription

          • Controlling diarrhea related to chronic gut-related conditions - prescription only

          • Lowering the amount of discharge from an ileostomy - prescription only

          $5.71 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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          Mytesi (crofelemer) images

          White Oval 125Slxp - Mytesi 125mg Delayed-Release Tablet
          This medicine is White, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "125Slxp".White Oval 125Slxp - Mytesi 125mg Delayed-Release Tablet

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