Mycophenolate

(mye koe FEN oh late)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Your child will have more chance of getting infections. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.
• Please read the medication guide.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to mycophenolate or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child is getting this drug as a shot and is allergic to polysorbate 80.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to keep the body from turning down the organ after an organ transplant.
• It is used to treat psoriasis.
• It is used to treat lupus.
• It is used to treat uveitis.

How does this drug work?

• Mycophenolate helps the body accept an organ transplant.
• It lowers the body's harmful response to diseases of the immune system.

How is this drug given?

• All products:
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses.
• Oral:
• Give on an empty stomach. Give 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• There is a liquid (suspension) if your child cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given. Stop tube feeding 2 hours before giving this drug. Restart tube feeding 1 hour after giving this drug.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into a vein.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose, brand, or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• If your child has had an ulcer or bleeding from the stomach or bowel, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has PKU, talk with your child's doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Talk with the doctor before your child gets any vaccines. Use with this drug may either raise the chance of very bad infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• Take care of your child's teeth. See a dentist often.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• High blood pressure.
• Chance of getting an infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Belly pain or heartburn.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count may rarely happen.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows any signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color or sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat.
• If your child has a change in balance.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child has a bad headache.
• If your child has very bad muscle pain or weakness.
• If your child has a cough that does not go away.
• If your child has very bad mouth irritation.
• If your child has a big weight loss.
• If your child is not able to pass urine.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child has any bruising or bleeding.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect capsules and tablets from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any part not used after 2 months.
• The shot will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.