Suprimun (Mycophenolate Mofetil)

Dosage form:

Film coated tablet 500 mg

What is Suprimun (mycophenolate mofetil) used for?

• It is used to keep the body from harming the organ after an organ transplant.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Important notes before taking Suprimun (mycophenolate mofetil):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to mycophenolate or any other part of this drug.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome or a rare inherited deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT).
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs: Azathioprine, cholestyramine, norfloxacin with metronidazole, or sevelamer.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are able to get pregnant and are not using 2 kinds of birth control.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This drug is contraindicated in pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Important notes while taking Suprimun (mycophenolate mofetil): 

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Have laboratory tests checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• The chance of skin cancer may be raised. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eye wear that protects you from the sun.
• A very bad brain problem called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) has happened with this drug. It may cause disability or can be deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs like confusion, memory problems, low mood (depression), change in the way you act, change in strength on 1 side is greater than the other, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, or change in eyesight.
• Some people treated with this drug have had very bad kidney problems caused by a certain viral infection (BK virus). In people who have had a kidney transplant, BK virus infection may cause loss of the kidney. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of kidney problems like change in the amount of urine passed, difficulty or pain when passing urine, or blood in the urine.
• Hepatitis B or C testing may be done. A hepatitis B or C infection may get worse while taking this drug.
• Bleeding, holes, and ulcers in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract have happened with this drug. Sometimes, people have had to go to the hospital. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug may cause diarrhea. If you get diarrhea, talk with your doctor about ways to lower this effect. Do not stop taking this drug without talking with your doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• If you are a man and have sex with a female who could get pregnant, you may need to protect her from pregnancy during treatment and for some time after your last dose. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to use birth control after your last dose.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use two kinds of birth control while taking this drug. Use two kinds of birth control during treatment and for 6 weeks after your last dose. 
• If you get pregnant while taking this drug or within 6 weeks after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

Suprimun (mycophenolate mofetil) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit;
• Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, seizures, not hungry, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up;
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight;
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain;
• Signs of skin infection like oozing, heat, swelling, redness, or pain;
• Chest pain or pressure;
• Fast or slow heartbeat;
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal;
• Feeling very tired or weak;
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding;
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds;
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools;
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal;
• Muscle cramps;
• Very bad belly pain;
• Swelling;
• Pale skin;
• White patches in mouth;
• Vaginal itching or discharge;
• Yellow skin or eyes.

Some people have had lung problems with this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of lung problems like shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, cough that is new or worse, or fever.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Back pain;
• Constipation;
• Headache;
• Dizziness;
• Not hungry;
• Stomach pain or diarrhea;
• Gas;
• Feeling tired or weak;
• Shakiness;
• Upset stomach or throwing up;
• Trouble sleeping;
• Joint pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is less than 2 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. 

Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses.

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

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.