Sometimes we have to transplant an organ like a kidney or a liver, right? After such a transplant, our body's immune system can see this new organ as something foreign and start attacking it. Mycophenolate Sodium is a special medicine that can stop this and protect the precious transplanted organ. You can usually get this under the brand name Myfortic. So, if you have been prescribed this medicine, let's talk about everything you need to know about it today.
What should I tell the doctor before taking the medicine?
Before prescribing this medicine, you should give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This is a very powerful medicine. Be sure to tell him/her about any of the conditions listed below, especially if you have any of the following conditions.
- If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant: This is very important. Getting pregnant while taking this medicine can cause serious birth defects in your baby.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
- If you have anemia or another blood-related disease.
- If you have or have had cancer.
- If you frequently experience stomach upsets such as diarrhea.
- If you have a weak immune system.
- If you currently have an infection (especially viral infections like chickenpox or herpes).
- If you have kidney disease.
- If you have recently received a vaccination or are scheduled to receive one in the future.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to mycophenolate or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly when using this medicine.
- Take on an empty stomach: This pill should be taken on an empty stomach. This means it should be taken one hour before or two hours after a meal . Do not take it with food.
- Swallow the tablet whole: Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not touch a tablet if it is broken in any way.
- Take it on time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
- Don't stop taking it on your own: No matter how well you feel, don't stop taking this medication without your doctor's advice.
You will receive a special information leaflet (MedGuide) when you are given this medicine. Read it carefully each time you take the medicine. It contains a lot of important information for you.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Let's say I forgot to take my medicine. Take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose (for example, it's two or three hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once.
What are the things to be careful about when taking medicine?
You need to think a lot about your safety when taking this medicine.
- See your doctor regularly: You will need to see your doctor regularly and have blood tests to monitor the progress of your treatment.
- Be careful with the sun: Your skin may be very sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. So be careful with the sun as much as possible. If you go outside, wear clothing that covers your body completely, use a good sunscreen, and avoid using sun lamps or tanning beds.
- Be careful of infections: This medicine reduces the body's ability to fight disease, so if you develop an infection like a cold or flu, do not self-medicate and call your doctor immediately.
- Avoid donating blood: Do not donate blood while taking this medicine and for 6 weeks after stopping.
Special awareness about pregnancy and birth control
This is a very important part.
For women: Avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine. You should have a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting the medicine. If you are sexually active, you should use two reliable forms of birth control for 4 weeks before starting the medicine, while you are taking the medicine, and for 6 weeks after you stop taking the medicine. Birth control pills alone may not be enough during this time. So talk to your doctor about the best methods for you.
For men: If you are a man taking this medicine, you should always use a condom when having sex with a woman who could get pregnant. This is because if you get pregnant, the baby could have serious birth defects. You should use a condom for 90 days after stopping the medicine. Also, avoid donating sperm while taking this medicine and for 90 days after stopping it.
What side effects might I experience?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, and sore throat. |
| Bleeding | Blood in the stool, dark black stools (like tar), unusual bruising. |
| Other serious symptoms | Vision changes, dizziness, extreme tiredness or weakness. |
| 🩺 If side effects persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting. | |
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
Other medications you are taking may interact with this, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
- Things you should not take: Do not receive live vaccines while taking this medicine.
- Other medications that may cause problems:
- Acyclovir or valacyclovir
- Azathioprine
- Birth control pills
- Some antibiotics - e.g. ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
- Cyclosporine
- Ganciclovir or valganciclovir
- Cholesterol-lowering medications - e.g. cholestyramine, colestipol
- Metronidazole, Norfloxacin
- Probenecid, Rifampin, Sevelamer
- Medicines that reduce stomach acid - e.g. magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide
This list is not complete, so it's best to talk to your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Mycophenolate is a very important drug that stops the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- Avoiding pregnancy while taking this medication is important for both women and men. Be very careful about birth control.
- If you develop any signs of infection, such as fever or chills, tell your doctor immediately.
- Take the tablet on an empty stomach. Swallow the tablet whole without breaking, chewing, or crushing it.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න