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| Pronunciation |
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 (mye
koe FEN oh
late) |
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| Brand Names |
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| CellCept® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Immunosuppressant Agent |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- You will have an increased risk of getting infections. Avoid crowds
and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to mycophenolate, mycophenolic acid, or any
other part of the medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to prevent your body's rejection of a solid
organ transplant such as a kidney, heart or liver.
- It can treat psoriasis and
uveitis.
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| How does it work? |
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- Mycophenolate helps the body accept a new organ more easily. It
decreases the body's response to diseases affecting the immune
system.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Tube feeding should be held a
couple of hours before and after medicine is given. Flush the feeding tube
before and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, colestipol, or iron with this
medicine. Separate these medicines from
mycophenolate.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Vaccines may be less effective. If you are going to be vaccinated
check with healthcare provider.
- Oral solution contains 0.56 mg phenylalanine/200 mg dose. Use caution
if you have phenylketonuria.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
- There is a risk of skin cancer. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear
protective clothing and eyewear. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
- The risk of cancer is higher after taking this medicine. It may be
related to the dose and length of treatment.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust before beginning treatment, during and for 6 weeks after
treatment.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work every week for the first month, every other week for
the second and third months, then once monthly. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills, sore throat, sore mouth, pain with urination, or
coughing up sputum.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Store suspension at room temperature or under refrigeration. Do not
freeze. Throw away after 2 months.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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