What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mycophenolic acid?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to mycophenolic acid, mycophenolate mofetil, or mycophenolate sodium.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of mycophenolic acid. This medicine can affect your immune system, which may increase your risk of cancer, serious or fatal infections, or kidney transplant failure.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a stomach ulcer or problems with digestion;
- hepatitis B or C or other a viral infection (may become active or get worse while you are using mycophenolic acid); or
- a rare inherited enzyme deficiency such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.
This medicine can cause a miscarriage or birth defects, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy. You will need to have a negative pregnancy test before and during treatment with this medicine. If you are able to get pregnant, you must use specific forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using mycophenolic acid, and for at least 6 weeks after your last dose.
Sexually active men and their partners should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose.
Mycophenolic acid can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using an additional barrier form of birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy.
You do not need to use additional birth control if you use an intrauterine device (IUD), if you have had a tubal ligation, or if your sexual partner has had a vasectomy.
This medicine comes with patient instructions about the most effective non-hormonal forms of birth control to use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
If a pregnancy occurs during treatment, do not stop taking mycophenolic acid. Call your doctor for instructions. Also call the Mycophenolate Pregnancy Registry (1-800-617-8191).
Mycophenolic acid is sometimes given to pregnant women. Your doctor will decide whether you should use this medicine if you are unable to use other needed transplant medications.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.