How does it work?

Mycophenolate mofetil belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants. These medicines reduce the body's immune response. Mycophenolate is broken down in the body to the active medicine called mycophenolic acid. The immune system normally protects the body from foreign cells and infections, by producing antibodies to fight them. A transplanted organ can be attacked by the immune system, as it is recognised by the body as a foreign substance. This is known as "transplant rejection". Mycophenolate works by blocking the action of a compound called inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is required for producing certain blood cells called T- and B-lymphocytes. These are immune cells that are responsible for regulating and triggering immune responses and thereby providing a defence against infection and foreign cells in the body. By reducing the production of these cells, mycophenolate makes the body less likely to reject foreign material such as transplanted organs. Mycophenolate is used together with other immunosuppressive medicines (ciclosporin and corticosteroids) as part of the transplant regimen to prevent rejection.

What is it used for?

Preventing the body rejecting a transplanted heart, liver or kidney (in combination with ciclosporin and corticosteroids)

Warning!

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason, if you experience any unexplained bruising, purple spots, bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness, you should consult your doctor immediately so that blood tests can be carried out to check for this.

Individuals having long term or intense immunosuppressive treatment are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other cancers, particularly skin cancer. Therefore, to reduce the risk of skin cancer, you should minimise your exposure to strong sunlight and UV light by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor. Discuss this with your doctor.

Women of child bearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment with this medicine, and for at least six weeks after stopping treatment. Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.

People taking this medicine should have regular blood tests to monitor the levels of the blood components. This should be weekly for the first month, twice a month for the 2nd and 3rd months and then monthly through the first year of treatment. If your white blood cell count falls below a certain level during treatment, your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine.

There is insufficient safety and efficacy data regarding the use of this medicine following kidney transplants in children under two years. It is not recommended for this use in this age group. The use of this medicine following heart or liver transplants in children of all ages has also not been studied, and it is not recommended for these uses in children.

CellCept capsules should not be opened or crushed and CellCept tablets should not be broken or crushed. If a capsule has broken open or split, avoid touching or inhaling the powder. If any powder gets on your skin, was the skin thoroughly with soap and water. If powder gets in your eyes, rinse the eyes immediately with plain water.

Use with caution in

Rare hereditary diseases where there is a deficiency of an enzyme (HGPRT) eg Lesch-Nyhan or Keelley-Seegmiller syndrome

Serious digestive system disease that is currently active

Not to be used in

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

As there is no safety information available, the manufacturer does not recommend the use of this medicine when breastfeeding. Alternatively, if this medicine must be used, the mother should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Depression

Blood disorders

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Seizures (convulsions)

Increased susceptibility to infections

Cold or flu-like symptoms

Dizziness

Alteration in taste

Loss of appetite

Decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood (leucopenia)

Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)

Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Disturbances in the levels of chemical components (electrolytes) in the blood

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Ulceration or bleeding of the stomach or intestines

Increased risk of developing lymphomas and other cancers, particularly skin cancer

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved