Myfortic (Mycophenolic Acid)

Description

Myfortic is an immunosuppressant that is taken to prevent organ rejection in adult patients who have received a kidney transplant and in children 5 years of age or older who are at least 6 months post kidney transplant. 

Mycophenolic acid is the generic name for Myfortic.

Directions

Myfortic should be used with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. 

Myfortic is available in tablets of 180 mg and 360 mg strengths. The tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or cut. Swallow the tablets whole. 

Myfortic Dosage:

Adults: 720 mg by mouth two times daily without food. Take at least one hour before or two hours after eating.

Children at least 5 years old and at least 6 months post kidney transplant: 400 mg/m2 by mouth two times daily. Do not exceed the adult dose.

Ingredients

The active ingredient contained in Myfortic tablets is mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium.

Contraindications

Talk to your doctor about any allergies you may have. 

You should not take Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) if you are allergic to mycophenolate sodium, mycophenolic acid, mycophenolate mofetil, or to any of the other ingredients in Myfortic. Myfortic can cause reactions such as a rash, itching, low blood pressure, and chest pain in patients with a known hypersensitivity to Myfortic, mycophenolate sodium, mycophenolic acid, mycophenolate mofetil, or any of its excipients. 

Cautions

• Before you start taking Myfortic, tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Myfortic can interact with certain medications that may lead to serious reactions. 
• You should not use Myfortic delayed release tablets and mycophenolate mofetil tablets and capsules interchangeably. 
• Once you are prescribed and purchase Myfortic, Myfortic can increase your risk for lymphomas and malignancies, especially of the skin. Your sun exposure should be limited. If you go outside, be sure you protect your skin with protective clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor.
• Let your doctor know about any viral infections you may have, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. Patients who take Myfortic are at an increased risk for new or reactivated infections. Seek medical attention right away if you develop a fever, muscle aches, appetite changes, vomiting, or rash. 
• Blood dyscrasia such as pure red cell aplasia may occur during treatment with Myfortic. Monitoring for neutropenia or anemia should be conducted in patients receiving Myfortic.
• Tell your doctor if you have a digestive system disease. Gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforations, duodenal ulcers, and gastric ulcers may occur during treatment with Myfortic. Seek immediate medical care if you have blood in your stools or vomit.
• Talk to your doctor before you receive any vaccinations. Live attenuated vaccines should not be given in patients who take Myfortic.
• Tell your doctor if you have a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phsphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT), such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome. Myfortic can exacerbate the symptoms of these diseases; therefore, Myfortic should be avoided in these patients.
• Do not donate blood during Myfortic therapy and for at least 6 weeks after you stop taking Myfortic because a woman who can become pregnant or a woman who is pregnant may receive your blood.
• Do not donate semen during Myfortic therapy or for 90 days after stopping Myfortic.
• Sexually active patients and their partners should use an effective contraceptive during treatment with Myfortic and for at least 90 days after discontinuation of Myfortic. 
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or planning to become pregnant. Myfortic is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss and congenital malformations. Use safer treatment options if possible. 
• Tell your doctor if you breastfeed or plan to breastfeed. There is little data regarding the effects of Myfortic during breastfeeding are not known. 

Side Effects

Myfortic can cause side effects and some may become serious. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe side effects or side effects that won't go away or become bothersome. Common side effects of Myfortic include: 

• Anemia
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Leukopenia 
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Problems sleeping
• Urinary tract infection
• Post-procedure pain 

References:

1. Myfortic. East Hanover, New Jersey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2020.
2. Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic). GoodRx. Accessed November 23, 2021.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....