Mycophenolic Acid
About Mycophenolic Acid
Mycophenolic Acid belongs to the class of medicine called 'immunosuppressant' that helps to prevent organ rejection after kidney transplant. Usually, organ rejection occurs when our immune system treats the newly transplanted organ as an invader and attacks it.
Mycophenolic Acid contains ‘mycophenolic acid’ that works by stopping your body from rejecting a new organ by suppressing your immune system. After an organ transplant, your body will try to attack the new organ as it sees it as foreign. Mycophenolic Acid is used along with other medicines containing corticosteroids and ciclosporin.
You are advised to take Mycophenolic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as diarrhoea, cough, muscle pain, low blood pressure, fever, and respiratory infections. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Mycophenolic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed. To avoid recurring symptoms, do not stop it midway. Do not take Mycophenolic Acid if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Mycophenolic Acid should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk. Mycophenolic Acid should not be given to children as safety and efficacy have not been established. Mycophenolic Acid may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of severe conditions such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding, or bruising. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use protective sunscreen with a high protection factor while using Mycophenolic Acid. While taking Mycophenolic Acid, do not contact anyone who has shingles, chickenpox, or measles. If you accidentally come in contact with any person having them, please inform your doctor immediately as it requires special treatment if you have not had these illnesses. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side-effects. Do not take Mycophenolic Acid if you are not using effective contraception.
Uses of Mycophenolic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Mycophenolic Acid contains ‘mycophenolic acid’, an immunosuppressant that helps stop your body from rejecting a new organ by suppressing your immune system. After an organ transplant, your body will try to attack the new organ as it sees it as a foreign organism. Mycophenolic Acid is used along with other medicines containing corticosteroids and ciclosporin. Mycophenolic Acid is a gastro-resistant tablet which is a delayed-release tablet.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Mycophenolic Acid
- Shortness of breath
- Acne
- Weakness (asthenia)
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Swollen hands, ankles or feet
- Itching
- Respiratory infections
- Cough
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Do not take Mycophenolic Acid if you are allergic to any immunosuppressant medicines or mycophenolic acid. Let your doctor know before using Mycophenolic Acid if you have liver or kidney problems, serious digestive problems, cancer, liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C), current/past infections, rare genetic disorders (such as Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndromes). Do not take Mycophenolic Acid if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Mycophenolic Acid is a Pregnancy category risk D medicines which can cause serious congenital disabilities to the unborn baby. Mycophenolic Acid should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk. Pregnant women should use reliable forms of birth control while on treatment and 6 weeks after stopping treatment with Mycophenolic Acid. While taking Mycophenolic Acid, do not contact anyone who has shingles, chickenpox, or measles. If you accidentally come in contact with any person having them, please inform your doctor immediately as it requires special treatment if you have not had these illnesses. Mycophenolic Acid causes dizziness and drowsiness, so drive with caution. Mycophenolic Acid should not be given to children as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Mycophenolic Acid as it could lead to increased dizziness. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use protective sunscreen with a high protection factor while using Mycophenolic Acid.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Mycophenolic Acid may have interaction with other immunosuppressant medicines (tacrolimus), medicines used to treat high blood cholesterol levels (cholestyramine), activated charcoal used to treat digestive problems, antacids containing magnesium and aluminium, and medicines used to treat viral infections (aciclovir or ganciclovir).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Mycophenolic Acid as it may increase dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Mycophenolic Acid may cause interactions with disease conditions such as cancer, liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C), current/past infections, serious digestive problems, rare genetic disorders (such as Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndromes).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Mycophenolic Acid. It could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeMycophenolic Acid may cause birth defects and miscarriage if taken during pregnancy. Follow contraception advice given by your doctor if you are a woman who could become pregnant. Also, undergo a pregnancy test before starting treatment with Mycophenolic Acid.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Mycophenolic Acid while you are breastfeeding. Mycophenolic Acid passes into breast milk.
Driving
cautionMycophenolic Acid may cause dizziness, tiredness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionTake Mycophenolic Acid only after the doctor's prescription, especially if you have liver diseases/conditions as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment before taking Mycophenolic Acid as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Children
unsafeMycophenolic Acid should not be used by children and adolescents aged below 18 years of age, as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.
- Follow heat or cold therapy, apply a cold or hot compress on the joints for 15-20minutes regularly.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listen to soothing music.
- Acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy may also be helpful.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes, and green tea.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Use sunscreen while taking Mycophenolic Acid, as it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and may cause skin cancer.
- Do not donate blood while using this medication and for 6 weeks after stopping it. Do not donate sperm while using this medication and for 90 days after stopping it.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Kidney transplant rejection: When you get a new kidney 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 like mycophenolic acid are given to such patients to suppress your immune system to attack newly transplanted kidney. The ultimate goal is to adjust immunosuppressant to prevent rejection and minimise any drugs' side effects.
FAQs
Mycophenolic Acid might cause leukopenia (decreased number of white blood cells) and may make you more susceptible to infections. Consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding, or bruising.
If you miss a dose of Mycophenolic Acid, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it's almost time for the next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Mycophenolic Acid. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience prolonged diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Mycophenolic Acid works by controlling the immune system's response to the transplanted organ and is given along with other medications that suppress the immune system.
Some medicines might absorb mycophenolic acid delayed or absorbed fast if taken concomitantly such as antacids containing aluminium or magnesium, colestipol, cholestyramine, or calcium-free phosphate binders. Before taking Mycophenolic Acid, speak with your doctor about your ongoing medication list. Your doctor will decide whether they should be taken along with Mycophenolic Acid or not.
The live vaccine may not work well while on treatment with Mycophenolic Acid. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without talking to your doctor first. Also, avoid contact with people who recently had immunizations/vaccinations.
