Myfortic Side Effects

Generic name: mycophenolic acid

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 17, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Myfortic.

Applies to mycophenolic acid: oral tablet delayed release Side Effects associated with mycophenolic acid. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Myfortic.

Applies to mycophenolic acid: oral tablet delayed release.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

• 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 Myfortic

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:

• 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.

Other side effects of Myfortic

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.

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 adverse events

• 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]

Further information

Myfortic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer