mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Immunosuppressant; inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor
Licensed role
Prevention of acute rejection after an adult kidney transplant, alongside ciclosporin and corticosteroids
Administration
Swallow gastro-resistant tablets whole; do not break or crush them
Food
May be taken with or without food, but use the same approach consistently
What is mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium used for?
The selected product has a specialist transplant indication.
Prevention of acute rejection in adults receiving an allogeneic kidney transplant, used with ciclosporin and corticosteroids.
How does mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium work?
It reversibly blocks inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme needed to make guanosine nucleotides. T and B lymphocytes depend strongly on this pathway, reducing their proliferation and the immune response against a transplanted kidney.
mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium preparations and strengths
Gastro-resistant tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 180 mg, 360 mg
How to take mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium
Follow the transplant specialist’s prescription and do not stop treatment independently.
Swallow tablets whole with water.
Do not break, split or crush gastro-resistant tablets.
Do not take damaged tablets.
Take consistently either with food or without food.
Avoid inhaling tablet powder or allowing it to contact skin, eyes or mucous membranes.
mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
- Headache or dizziness
- Cough or respiratory infection
- Joint or muscle pain
- Tiredness
- High blood pressure
- Reduced white cells, anaemia or reduced platelets
- Changes in kidney, liver or electrolyte blood-test results
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Serious or opportunistic infection, including sepsis
- Marked bone-marrow suppression causing infection, pallor, breathlessness, bruising or bleeding
- Gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding or perforation
- Persistent cough or breathlessness suggesting lung disease
- New neurological symptoms that could indicate a serious brain infection
- New or changing skin lesions, swollen glands or other possible malignancy symptoms
mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium in pregnancy
Mycophenolate is a major human teratogen associated with miscarriage and serious congenital malformations. It is contraindicated in pregnancy unless no suitable alternative can prevent transplant rejection. Pregnancy must be excluded before treatment; people who could become pregnant require reliable contraception during treatment and for six weeks afterwards. Contact the transplant team immediately if pregnancy occurs or is suspected. Male patients or their female partners should use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days afterwards as a precaution.
mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated because mycophenolic acid enters human milk and could cause serious adverse effects in the infant.
mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products with the transplant team or pharmacist.
Magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids
Regular concurrent use may reduce mycophenolic acid exposure and effectiveness.
Colestyramine, other bile-acid binders or oral activated charcoal
May reduce absorption and immunosuppressive effect.
Aciclovir or ganciclovir
Concentrations may rise, particularly with renal impairment, and closer observation may be needed.
Common questions about mycophenolic acid as mycophenolate sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is this the same as mycophenolate mofetil?
Both deliver active mycophenolic acid, but they are different formulations with different pharmacokinetic profiles. They should not be substituted without specialist direction.
Why must the tablets be swallowed whole?
Breaking or crushing damages the gastro-resistant coating and may expose people to powder from a teratogenic substance.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food, but the chosen approach should remain consistent because food changes the timing and peak of absorption.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.