MYFORTIC (MYCOPHENOLIC ACID)

Myfortic Description

Myfortic is an immunosuppressant drug that your doctor may prescribe if you are scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant. Immunosuppressant medications are required so the transplanted organ is not attacked by an immune response to a foreign body. Myfortic or generic Mycophenolic Acid is usually prescribed along with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Your immune system can sense that there are different antigens on the cells of the new kidney and an immune response is triggered. This results in white blood cells, T- and B-lymphocytes, launching an attack to destroy the tissues. Even when a good match between donor and recipient is made, your immune system will know, except you have a better chance of not rejecting the organ.

How Myfortic Works to Reduce the Risk of Organ Rejection

Mycophenolic Sodium, the main ingredient in Myfortic is broken down into Mycophenolic Acid, its active form. Myfortic blocks the action of a certain enzyme that is required for the production of white bloods cells. This action inhibits the amount of T- and B-lymphocytes so the transplanted organ has an increased possibility of doing its job without being attacked and possibly rejected. Taking Myfortic can help increase your chance of a successful transplant.

Conditions Treated by Myfortic

When your kidneys have stopped doing their job efficiently, your doctor may have you undergo dialysis, a process whereby your blood is removed, cleansed, and returned to your body through an intravenous procedure that can take several hours. This must be carried out regularly and can become very time-consuming.

If you meet the requirements for a kidney transplant, your name will be placed on a wait-list or a family member may be a suitable match for you as a live donor. You will meet with other doctors and social workers to be certain you understand the procedure and the recovery with an involved treatment regimen. The live donor will also undergo tests and meet with doctors so they are aware of what to expect.

Before Myfortic is Prescribed

You should not take Myfortic if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. You may be tested for a pregnancy and then advised to use two forms of birth control to avoid any risk of conceiving a child with possible birth defects. Myfortic can also pass into semen and could result in birth defects in a baby that may be fathered during his treatment. Discuss any OTC and Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements to be certain it is safe for you to take Myfortic.

Myfortic Precautions and Recommendations

You should not donate blood during treatment with Myfortic to avoid the risk of a pregnant woman receiving it. You may require adjustments to your dose of Myfortic and additional treatment if you start showing signs of rejection. Avoid public areas where you could be susceptible to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection as your immune system is compromised while taking Myfortic.

Possible Side Effects of Myfortic

• Gas
• Joint pain
• High blood pressure
• Diarrhea/constipation