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Mycophenolic acid Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 30, 2023.

Applies to mycophenolic acid: oral tablet delayed release.

Warning

  • Use of this drug during pregnancy may cause birth defects or death of the unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, you must use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this drug. Your doctor must talk with you about how to avoid getting pregnant while taking this drug. A pregnancy test will be done right before starting this drug and repeated 8 to 10 days later to show that you are NOT pregnant. If you get pregnant or plan on getting pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.
  • This drug may raise the chance of getting cancer like lymphoma or skin cancer. Call your doctor right away if you have a change in color or size of a mole, a skin lump or growth, a big weight loss, night sweats, or swollen glands.
  • You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
  • Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection like fever, chills, flu-like signs, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.

Serious side effects of Mycophenolic acid

WARNING/CAUTION: 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:

Other side effects of Mycophenolic acid

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:

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.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mycophenolic acid: oral delayed release tablet.

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Acne, pruritus

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Hypertension

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, lymphocele[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, thrombocytopenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphopenia, neutropenia, lymphadenopathy

Frequency not reported: Pancytopenia, pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), abnormal neutrophil morphology (including the acquired Pelger-Huet anomaly)[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Wound infection, sepsis, osteomyelitis, influenza like illness

Frequency not reported: Hypogammaglobulinemia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia

Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthritis, back pain, muscle cramps[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis, vision blurred[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hyperuricemia

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypophosphatemia, thirst[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Anxiety

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams, delusional perception, insomnia[Ref]

Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal liver function tests[Ref]

Oncologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin papilloma, basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi´s sarcoma, lymphoproliferative disorder, squamous cell carcinoma[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough, dyspnea, exertional dyspnea

Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, cough, dyspnea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Interstitial lung disease (including fatal pulmonary fibrosis), pulmonary congestion, wheezing, pulmonary edema[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue, peripheral edema, pyrexia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lower limb edema, pain, rigors, weakness, contusion

Frequency not reported: Congenital malformations, spontaneous abortion[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tremor[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Blood creatinine increased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria, renal tubular necrosis, urethral stricture[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, nausea, vomiting

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal tenderness, GI hemorrhage, eructation, halitosis, ileus, lip ulceration, esophagitis, subileus, tongue discoloration, dry mouth, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gingival hyperplasia, pancreatitis, parotid duct obstruction, peptic ulcer, peritonitis

Frequency not reported: Colitis, CMV gastritis, intestinal perforation, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers[Ref]

References

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

3. Product Information. Mycophenolic Acid (mycophenolic acid). Apotex Corporation. 2017.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer