Mycophenolate Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.

• If you have had an ulcer or bleeding from your stomach or intestines, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• Do not take antacids, cholestyramine, colestipol, or iron within 2 hours of this medicine.

• The risk of cancer is higher after using this medicine.

• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.

• There is a risk of skin cancer. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Use two forms of birth control that you can trust 1 month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after treatment ends.

• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• High blood pressure.

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.

• Diarrhea.

• Swelling.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Fast heartbeat.

• Significant change in balance.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe headache.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Severe skin irritation.

• Significant weight loss.

• Severe muscle pain or weakness.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Unable to pass urine.

• For females, if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.