Mycophenolate Mofetil

• Mycophenolate Mofetil is used in cases of organ transplants where there is a risk of the body rejecting the new organ considering it to be a foreign body. The transplant organs include the following:
• Liver
• Kidney
• Heart
• Bone marrow
• Limb
• Intestine
• Pancreatic cells
• Its use is being extended to certain serious condition in which the body attacks own cells (autoimmune diseases)

When should one not use Mycophenolate Mofetil

• Progressive disease associated with white matter of the brain
• Skin cancer
• Shingles without a normal immune system
• Herpes simplex infection
• Stomach or intestinal ulcer
• Disease caused by cytomegalovirus infection or BK virus
• Liver problem
• Bleeding of the stomach or intestines
• Severe renal impairment
• Opportunistic fungal infection
• Severe infection
• Malignant lymphoma
• Malignant tumor or cancer
• A rupture in the wall of the stomach or intestine
• Constitutional aplastic anemia
• Decreased function of bone marrow
• Severely decreased levels of white blood cells in the blood
• Reduced neutrophils (a type of white blood cell)

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Mycophenolate Mofetil can decrease the immune response of the body and can trigger certain infections like herpes, hepatitis and brain infections
• It can also reactivate certain infections which were earlier under control, for example, hepatitis B, C and HIV
• Allergic reaction: difficulty in breathing, rash, swelling of the face, mouth lips, tongue
• Fever, weakness, flu-like symptoms, mouth ulcers
• Sore throat or pain, runny or blocked nose, headache, earache
• Confusion, unable to think clearly, disinterest in work
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, stomach pain, mouth dryness
• Muscle weakness to body
• New bump on the skin that has changed color or size
• Swelling, pain, redness, discharge from skin or wound
• Painful stools or bloody
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Bleeding through the nose or gums
• Serious side effects includes:
• Chest pain, irregular pulse
• Blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, dizziness
• Pain, burning or bloody urine

Other General Warnings

• You should not donate blood during treatment with this medicine at least for six weeks after stopping treatment. Men should not donate semen during treatment with this medicine for at least 90 days after the treatment is stopped
• Mycophenolate Mofetil and Mycophenolic Acid are not absorbed equally
• Hence, it is essential that you are careful about the prescribed brand and not mix one for the other

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• The following medicines are known to interact with Mycophenolate Mofetil. Hence your doctor needs to know about all the medicines you use
• Antiviral medicines: Acyclovir, Ganciclovir, Valacyclovir
• Antibiotics: Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, Norfloxacin, Rifampin
• Cholestyramine
• Sulfa medicine
• Antacids: Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole
• Azathioprine

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose