Used with other medicines to keep your body from rejecting its transplanted organ.
Brand Names:
Cellcept
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mycophenolate or mycophenolic acid.
Uses:
Capsule, Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often. Use this medicine exactly as your doctor ordered.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach (without food).
Swallow the tablet or capsule whole. Do not break, open, crush, or chew it.
Do not get the medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth, or on your skin. This includes the oral liquid medicine and the powder medicine in the tablets and capsules. If this does happen, wash your skin with soap and water and rinse well. Rinse your eyes, nose, or mouth with large amounts of plain water.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
It is very important that you do not miss any doses of this medicine.
Use the missed dose if it has only been a few hours from the time you were supposed to use your medicine.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose, and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. You may store the oral liquid in the refrigerator if you want to, but do not freeze it.
The oral liquid is good for only 60 days after you get it from the pharmacy. Dispose of any medicine that you still have after 60 days. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
There are other medicines that may interact with mycophenolate. Give your doctor a list of all the medicines you are using, especially if you are using cholestyramine (Questran®, Prevalite®) or azathioprine (Imuran®).
If you are also using antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium (such as Maalox®), try not to use them at the same time as mycophenolate. Use them before or after your dose of mycophenolate. If you have questions, talk with your doctor about the best times to use your medicines.
Talk to your doctor before receiving any vaccines.
Warnings:
Talk with your doctor before using mycophenolate if you are breastfeeding.
Do not get pregnant while you are using this medicine. This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Unless you have had a hysterectomy (uterus removed), use 2 reliable forms of birth control before you use this medicine, while you are using this medicine, and for 6 weeks after your last dose.
You may need to have a pregnancy test before you start using the medicine to find out if you are pregnant. If you think you might have become pregnant after you have started using the medicine, call your doctor right away.
Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you have ulcers, stomach bleeding, or any other stomach problems or if you have high blood pressure.
You will need to have blood tests done to make sure you are getting the right amount of medicine and to make sure it is not causing harmful side effects.
You may be more likely to get infections while using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever or chills. Try to stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections.
You may have a higher risk of skin cancer or cancer of the lymph system while using this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this if you have questions or concerns. Avoid being in the sun as much as possible while using this medicine. Use a strong sunscreen and protect your skin with clothing when have to be outside. You should not use tanning booths or sunlamps.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Unexplained fever, chills, or sore throat
Sores or white patches in your mouth
Severe stomach pain, bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Bloody or black bowel movements or blood in your urine
