Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Myfortic

Generic Name: mycophenolic acid (Pronunciation: MYE koe phe NOLE ik AS id)

What is mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)?

Mycophenolic acid lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.

Mycophenolic acid is used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney transplant. This medication is usually given with cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication.

Mycophenolic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with mycophenolic acid. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, flu symptoms, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, swollen glands;
stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss;
ear pain, headache;
white patches or sores in your mouth or throat;
pale skin, easy bruising or unusual bleeding;
confusion, change in your mental state, problems with vision, speech, memory, balance, or walking;
weakness in your legs, lack of coordination;
blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate;
swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing around a skin wound; or
a new bump or lesion on your skin, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
bloody, black, or tarry stools;
thirst, increased urination, hot and dry skin;
chest pain, dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
feeling like you might pass out;
slow or uneven heart rate, weak pulse, tingly feeling, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate).

Less serious side effects may include:

constipation, weight gain;
joint or muscle pain, back pain;
dizziness, anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia); or
swelling in your hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)?

Mycophenolic acid is sometimes given to pregnant women who are unable to take other needed transplant medications. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this medication.

Treatment with mycophenolic acid may increase your risk of developing certain life-threatening conditions, including serious infections, cancer, or transplant failure. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, swollen glands, flu symptoms, change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking, decreased vision, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding, pain or burning when you urinate, blood in your urine, a new skin lesion, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.