Mycophenolate Mofetil
About
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. Transplant rejection occurs when the recipient’s immune system identifies the transplanted organ as a ‘foreign object’ and attacks it. If it is not treated promptly, it may cause irreversible damage.
Mycophenolate Mofetil contains ‘Mycophenolate mofetil’ used in the treatment of organ transplant rejection along with another immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory agent. It inhibits T and B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that attacks foreign cells) and suppresses the production of antibodies (identify and kill foreign cells). These effects suppress the immune system so that the transplanted graft is not rejected.
Take Mycophenolate Mofetil as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take Mycophenolate Mofetil based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil are diarrhoea, vomiting, decreased white blood cells and red blood cell count and infections. Consult your doctor right away if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Mycophenolate Mofetil if you are allergic to ‘mycophenolate mofetil’ or any ingredients present in it. Also, do not take it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or not using effective contraception and breastfeeding. It can cause birth defects/congenital disabilities in the unborn baby, so make sure you take a pregnancy test before using Mycophenolate Mofetil if you are a woman of childbearing potential. You are advised to use effective contraception while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil. It can increase the risk of skin cancer, so wear protective clothing and limit exposure to sunlight. It increases the risk of infections as it can suppress the immune system. Do not donate blood or sperm without informing your doctor. Please do not take any vaccinations as it may be less effective.
Uses of Mycophenolate Mofetil
Medicinal Benefits
Mycophenolate Mofetil contains ‘Mycophenolate mofetil’ which belongs to the class of ‘immunosuppressants’. It is used to prevent organ transplant rejection. It reduces the activity of the immune system by inhibiting the action of white blood cells (responsible for immune reactions) in the body. It is preferred to use over steroids, which have long-term side effects.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Infections
- Low white blood cell (WBC) count
- Red blood cell (RBC) count
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Mycophenolate Mofetil, inform your doctor 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, are planning to become pregnant, get pregnant while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil, and 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. Men should not donate sperm while taking Mycophenolate Mofetil for at least 90 days after discontinuing the therapy. Please do not take any vaccinations (live vaccine) as it will not be much effective. The oral suspension contains aspartame (sweetener and a phenylalanine source), so it should be used with caution in patients with phenylketonuria (a birth defect/congenital disability that causes decreased metabolism of phenylalanine).
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, medications used to treat chronic kidney failure such as phosphate binders, and an antibiotic (norfloxacin+metronidazole).
Drug-Dood 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 and phenylketonuria.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol 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
safe if prescribedMycophenolate Mofetil may not affect your ability to drive. However, ask your doctor's advice, whether it is safe to drive based on your health conditions.
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 to create a diet plan based on your health condition.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked food.
- Protect yourself from exposure to sunlight and soil. Wear a long-sleeve shirt, hat, long pants and shoes while going outdoors. Also, wear sunscreen with high SPF.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
- Talk with your doctor at least 2 months before leaving, if you plan to travel, especially to developing countries.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise you to take regular blood tests to monitor blood cell counts and liver function. In general, the tests are done every 2 to 4 weeks in the initial two months, followed by once every 2 to 3 months.
- Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Organ transplant rejection: When you get a new organ transplanted to your body, your body recognizes 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 your immune system, stopping it from attacking the newly transplanted organs. Warnings signs of rejection are flu-like symptoms such as chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting, fever higher than 100o F, newly found pain at the region of the transplanted organ, weight gain and fatigue.
FAQs
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. So, you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Also, wear protective clothing covering 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 rejecting the transplanted organ. So, check with your doctor if you want to stop using Mycophenolate Mofetil.
