Mycophenolic acid is used together with other medicines to prevent organ rejection in kidney, liver or heart transplants.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Mycophenolic acid exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands or preparations of this medicine may be taken differently.
This medicine is available as a capsule, conventional or enteric-coated tablet, or oral suspension. Do not change from one drug form to another without consulting your doctor first.
If you are taking the capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not open or crush the capsule.
If you are taking the conventional or enteric-coated type of tablet, swallow it whole with a full glass of water. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the oral suspension, follow these instructions:
- Shake the bottle well for about 5 seconds before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed.
- Remove the safety cap of the bottle.
- Use a clean oral syringe for each dose. With the plunger fully depressed, insert the syringe into the opening of the bottle adapter.
- Hold the bottle upside down in one hand and use the other hand to fill the oral syringe.
- Pull the plunger to withdraw the exact amount of the medicine as prescribed.
- Turn the bottle the right way up and carefully take the oral syringe out of the adapter.
- Take the medicine by placing the tip of the oral syringe directly into the mouth and slowly pushing the plunger until it is empty. Do not mix the oral suspension with any other liquid.
- Replace the cap of the bottle. Wash the oral syringe immediately after taking the medicine and allow it to air dry. Do not boil the oral syringe.
The oral suspension may also be given if you are on a nasogastric feeding tube. Always flush the tubing with water after each dose of this medicine to ensure that the full dose is taken. Do not mix the oral suspension with any other liquid.
Avoid inhalation or any direct contact with the powder when preparing the suspension. If you accidentally come in contact with the powder or prepared oral suspension, wash the area immediately with soap and water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of your treatment depending on the type of your condition.
Mycophenolic acid must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is less than 2 hours before the next dose is due, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Mycophenolic acid or its other forms, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- stomach or bowel problems
- rare inherited deficiency of a certain enzyme in the body e.g. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (a rare inherited disorder that usually occurs in men characterised by neurological or behavioural abnormalities and high levels of uric acid in the body)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon.
It is important that women do not get pregnant while taking Mycophenolic acid. Women must use proven birth control methods before starting, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Men should also not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and their partners who may become pregnant must use proven birth control methods during Mycophenolic acid therapy and for 90 days after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Men should not donate semen during treatment and for 90 days after the last dose.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Mycophenolic acid to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Do not donate blood during therapy with this medicine and for at least 6 weeks after the last dose.
Do not switch between brands or formulations unless instructed by your doctor. This is because different brands or formulations of Mycophenolic acid may have slightly different ways of working in your body.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before and during treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver or kidney function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with Mycophenolic acid. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs or symptoms of allergic reactions, infection, and unusual bleeding or bruising may also be needed.
Mycophenolic acid may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may increase the risk of skin cancer. Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing when going outdoors. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, stomach wind, indigestion, mouth sores, constipation, diarrhoea, difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite, and feeling confused.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- prolonged tiredness, weight loss, new or changes in skin growths or bumps, changes in the size or colour of moles
- unexplained fever, muscle pain, joint pain or stiffness
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin
- medicines to treat viral infections e.g. aciclovir, valaciclovir, valganciclovir, ganciclovir
- medicines that reduce stomach acid production e.g. lansoprazole, pantoprazole
- antacids (medicines that neutralise stomach acids) e.g. magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide
- certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, amoxicillin
- colestyramine (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- isavuconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- telmisartan (medicine for high blood pressure)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
- sevelamer (medicine used to lower high phosphate levels in the blood)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Mycophenolic acid.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect the conventional or enteric-coated type of tablet from moisture.
The oral suspension can be stored at room temperature between 15-30°C or in the refrigerator (between 2-8°C) after you have mixed the powder with water. Do not freeze it otherwise, it will become less effective. Throw away any unused portion after 60 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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