Mycophenolate Mofetil
About Mycophenolate Mofetil
Mycophenolate Mofetil belongs to a class of medications called immunosuppressants used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ, such as a kidney, heart, or liver.
Mycophenolate Mofetil contains ‘Mycophenolate mofetil’, which works by suppressing the immune system, allowing the transplanted graft to avoid rejection.
The common side effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil are diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and headache. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Mycophenolate Mofetil if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Avoid donating blood or sperm without informing your doctor. Please do not take any vaccinations as they may be less effective.
Uses of Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Prevention of Organ Rejection: Mycophenolate Mofetil is used along with other immunosuppressants (such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine) to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs like the kidney, heart, or liver.
• Autoimmune Disorders (Off-label Use): Mycophenolate Mofetil may also be prescribed to suppress the immune system to manage certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus nephritis, myasthenia gravis, vasculitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. It helps prevent flare-ups and aids in controlling or reducing symptoms.
• Steroid-Sparing Agent: In some cases, Mycophenolate Mofetil is used in combination with or as an alternative to corticosteroids to reduce the long-term side effects of steroid treatment in autoimmune conditions.
Medicinal Benefits
- Mycophenolate Mofetil contains Mycophenolate mofetil, an immunosuppressant used primarily in organ transplant recipients.
- It helps the body accept transplanted organs (like the kidney, heart, or liver) by suppressing immune responses.
- Mycophenolate Mofetil inhibits the function of white blood cells (T and B lymphocytes), which are responsible for attacking transplanted organs.
- It enhances the long-term success of organ transplantation.
- Mycophenolate Mofetil is often used along with other immunosuppressants like tacrolimus or cyclosporine for optimal effect.
- Preferred over long-term use of corticosteroids due to fewer chronic side effects.
Directions for Use
- Mycophenolate Mofetil should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour or 2 hours after a meal or as directed by the doctor.
- It is usually taken twice daily at the same time each day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Mycophenolate Mofetil as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Mycophenolate Mofetil if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
- Mycophenolate Mofetil must not be taken by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, as it may cause miscarriage or birth defects.
- Inform your doctor before taking Mycophenolate Mofetil if you have a sign of infection such as a fever or sore throat, have any unexpected bruising or bleeding, have a history of digestive system problems such as a stomach ulcer, or have rare hereditary disorders such as Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome (conditions caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase [HGPRT]).
- Limit your exposure to sunlight as Mycophenolate Mofetil increases the risk of skin cancer.
- Do not donate blood while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil and for at least 60 days after discontinuing the therapy.
- Call your doctor right away if you think you or your partner is pregnant or if you miss a menstrual period.
- Please do not take any vaccinations (live vaccines) as they will not be very effective.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Mycophenolate Mofetil may interact with an immunosuppressant (azathioprine), antiviral medications (aciclovir and ganciclovir), a medication used to treat tuberculosis (rifampicin), antacids such as proton pump inhibitors, medicines used to treat chronic kidney failure such as phosphate binders, and an antibiotic (norfloxacin, metronidazole).
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption as it may worsen the condition by increasing the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease interactions: Mycophenolate Mofetil should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, stomach ulcers, chronic infections, phenylketonuria, and rare hereditary disorders, such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsuming alcohol while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil may worsen the condition by increasing the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeMycophenolate Mofetil is a pregnancy category D drug. It causes birth defects in the fetus. So, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMycophenolate Mofetil is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers, as it may be excreted in the breast milk. However, your doctor may prescribe Mycophenolate Mofetil if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionMycophenolate Mofetil may moderately affect your ability to drive. If you experience drowsiness, confusion, or numbness after taking Mycophenolate Mofetil, consult your doctor for advice, and avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel well again.
Liver
cautionMycophenolate Mofetil should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Kidney
cautionMycophenolate Mofetil should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Children
cautionMycophenolate Mofetil should be used with caution in children below 12 years of age. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet as it helps you to recover quickly. A dietitian will help you create a personalised diet plan tailored to your specific health condition.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked food.
- Protect yourself from exposure to sunlight and soil. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when going outdoors. Also, wear sunscreen with high SPF.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
- Discuss your travel plans with your doctor at least two months in advance, especially if you plan to travel, especially to developing countries.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may recommend that you undergo regular blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts and liver function. In general, the tests are performed every 2 to 4 weeks during the initial two months, followed by testing once every 2 to 3 months thereafter.
- Do not have immunisations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as the flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
- If you are a male with a female partner who may become pregnant, you should use acceptable birth control during treatment and for at least 90 days after your last dose.
- Men should not donate sperm while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil for at least 90 days after discontinuing the therapy.
- Women must use acceptable birth control during their treatment, and for 6 weeks after they stop taking Mycophenolate Mofetil.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Organ transplant rejection: When you get a new organ transplanted to your body, your body recognises it as a foreign element and tries to attack and reject it because it is not originally part of your body. So, immunosuppressant drugs are given to such patients to suppress their immune system, stopping it from attacking the newly transplanted organs. Warning signs of rejection are flu-like symptoms such as chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting, fever higher than 100°F, newly found pain in the region of the transplanted organ, weight gain, and fatigue.
FAQs
Mycophenolate Mofetil is used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ such as a kidney, heart‚ or liver.
Mycophenolate Mofetil belongs to the group of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening the immune system by inhibiting the production of cells or antibodies that attack foreign cells. This effect helps in stopping the immune system from targeting and rejecting the transplanted organ.
Mycophenolate Mofetil can suppress the immune system and can increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Also, wear protective clothing that covers your head, neck, arms, and legs, and use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor).
Mycophenolate Mofetil can suppress the immune system. So, you should not donate blood while using Mycophenolate Mofetil and at least 60 days after stopping treatment, as it makes you more prone to infections. Besides, men should not donate sperm while using Mycophenolate Mofetil for at least 90 days after stopping the treatment.
It is not advised to get pregnant while using Mycophenolate Mofetil, as it may cause birth defects/congenital disabilities in the unborn baby. So, it would help if you took an effective and reliable contraceptive while using Mycophenolate Mofetil, even when men are taking Mycophenolate Mofetil.
Mycophenolate Mofetil is given to stop rejection of the transplanted organ. If you abruptly stop taking this drug, it might result in rejection of the transplanted organ. So, check with your doctor if you want to stop using Mycophenolate Mofetil.
Mycophenolate Mofetil may increase the risk of skin cancer as it reduces the body’s defences. Limit the amount of sunlight and UV light, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen with high SPF.
Your doctor has prescribed Mycophenolate Mofetil to suppress your immune system and prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney.
Mycophenolate Mofetil is not a steroid or chemotherapy medicine. It is an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant.
The doctor may recommend regular blood tests to check for signs of infection and blood count. Women of childbearing potential must provide a negative pregnancy test before the start of treatment.
As Mycophenolate Mofetil reduces the body’s defences, you may be at a higher risk of developing infections. Therefore, your doctor has advised you to avoid contact with a person who has chickenpox or shingles.
Mycophenolate Mofetil causes a high frequency of miscarriage and birth defects. Therefore, before the start of treatment, women of childbearing potential must provide a negative pregnancy test. Also, women who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping Mycophenolate Mofetil. Two forms of contraception are preferable as this will reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Contact the doctor about the effective methods of contraception.
As a precaution, the male or his female partner must use reliable contraception during treatment and for 90 days after stopping Mycophenolate Mofetil.
The common side effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil are diarrhoea, vomiting, decreased white blood cell and red blood cell count, and infections. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, consult your doctor right away if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
