Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF)
Brand name - CellCept

Medication type - Immunosuppresive

Uses - Mycophenolate is used with other medications to prevent the body from rejecting kidney, heart, and liver transplants. It is also now used in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis.

Common side effects -
Constipation; diarrhea; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; weakness.
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the following:
Blood in the urine; chest pain; cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; increased cough; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; shortness of breath; swelling of feet or lower legs.

Rare side effects -
Acne; dizziness; skin rash; trouble in sleeping.
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the following:
Abdominal pain; black, tarry stools; bloody vomit; enlarged gums; irregular heartbeat; joint pain; muscle pain; pinpoint red spots on the skin; red, inflamed, bleeding gums; sores inside mouth; trembling or shaking of hands or feet; unusual bleeding or bruising; white patches on the mouth, tongue, or throat.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other notes -

No studies have been made on pregnant women using Mycophenolate, but it is known to cause birth defects in animals. Therefore, if you are taking mycophenolate, you should use two forms of reliable birth control before beginning treatment with mycophenolate, while being treated with mycophenolate, and for at least 6 weeks after discontinuing mycophenolate.
It is not known whether mycophenolate passes into breast milk.

Mycophenolate should be taken on an empty stomach.

While you are taking Mycophenolate it is important to maintain good dental hygiene and see a dentist regularly for teeth cleaning.

Mycophenolate may increase your risk of getting colds and infections.

Inform your doctor before taking Mycophenolate if you are taking any of the following-
Antithymocyte globulin (e.g., Atgam) or
Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
Chlorambucil (e.g., Leukeran) or
Corticosteroids, glucocorticoid (e.g., Cortef, Decadron, Deltasone, Medrol) or
Cyclophosphamide (e.g., Cytoxan) or
Cyclosporine (e.g., Neoral, Sandimmune) or
Mercaptopurine (e.g., Purinethol) or
Muromonab-CD3 (e.g., Orthoclone OKT3) or
Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf)—There may be an increased chance of developing certain kinds of cancers and infections because of increased suppression of your immune system