Health Library

Mycophenolate (By mouth)

Mycophenolic Acid (mye-koe-fe-NOLE-ik AS-id)

Prevents your body from rejecting an organ (including kidney, liver, or heart) after transplant by suppressing your immune system.

Brand Name(s):

Cellcept, Myfortic

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Coated Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat. Swallow the capsule, delayed-release tablet, or tablet whole. Do not break, cut, crush, open, or chew. Tell your doctor if you cannot tolerate taking the medicine on an empty stomach.
• If this medicine gets on your skin, wash the area with soap and water, and tell your caregiver. If you get the medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse the area with large amounts of water, and tell your caregiver.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with the oral dispenser. Do not mix with any other medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about this.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• This medicine is usually used with other medicines, including cyclosporine or a steroid medicine.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose and it is less than 2 hours from your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator, for up to 60 days. Do not freeze. Throw away unused oral liquid after 60 days.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how mycophenolate works. Tell your doctor if you are using activated charcoal, acyclovir, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, azathioprine, cholestyramine, ciprofloxacin, cyclosporine, ganciclovir, isavuconazole, lansoprazole, metronidazole, norfloxacin, pantoprazole, probenecid, rifampin, telmisartan, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, valacyclovir, or valganciclovir. Tell your doctor if you are also using birth control pills.
• If you are using sevelamer or an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, take it at least 2 hours after taking this medicine.
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine and 8 to 10 days after using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Birth control pills may not work as well when used with this medicine. Use two forms of effective birth control (including a condom, diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly) during treatment and for at least 6 weeks after the last dose. Male patients with female partners should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Do not donate sperm during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, stomach or bowel problems, or rare genetic disease (including Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of cancer, including skin cancer, lymphoma
  • Increased risk of serious infections, including shingles, herpes, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN), or SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection
  • Reactivation of hepatitis B or C infection
  • Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) or other blood problems, including anemia
  • Stomach bleeding or ulcers
  • Inflammatory (swelling) reactions
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine may inhibit the ability to drive and use machines. Avoid driving or using machines if confusion, dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, sleepiness, or trembling or shaking of the hands or feet occur during treatment.
• Do not donate blood during treatment and for at least 6 weeks after the last dose.
• The oral liquid contains aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine. Make sure your doctor knows if you have phenylketonuria.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination, unusual swelling
• Difficulty moving, joint or muscle pain
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms of infection
• Severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, bloody or black, tarry stools
• Skin lump or growth, brown or black patches on your skin, changes to a skin mole
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Weakness on one side of the body, confusion, clumsiness, loss of interest in things, trouble thinking clearly

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, stomach upset
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024