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Mycophenolate mofetil

Mycophenolate is used to control uveitis and often in addition to another medication such as methotrexate or a biologic drug. It is not used for control of arthritis.

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How to say it?

My-co-fenno-late moffet-ill

Other names

Cellcept

Type of JIA

Uveitis associated with JIA

How is it taken?

Tablet; liquid

How often?

Twice daily

How long for?

Long term – to maintain control of uveitis for at least two years

How soon does it start working?

Six to 12 weeks

Background

Mycophenolate is used to control uveitis and often in addition to another medication such as methotrexate or a biologic DMARD. It is not used for control of arthritis.

Precautions

Mycophenolate may cause bloating or abdominal pain when started in some people, which is why the dose is gradually increased over two to three weeks to a full dose. Other side effects are often minor and your child’s healthcare team will share information with you.

It is important to exclude pregnancy in females of child-bearing potential before treatment—two pregnancy tests eight to 10 days apart are recommended. Women should use at least one method of effective contraception before and during treatment, and for six weeks after discontinuation — two methods of effective contraception are preferable. Male patients or their female partner should use effective contraception during treatment and for 90 days after discontinuation.

Blood tests

As with methotrexate, blood tests are performed to monitor for early signs of any effects on the blood and liver. A change in the test result may not be due to the drug but is often due to an infection that may be obvious or not.

Blood tests are performed every two to four weeks for the first few months and then stretched out to every two to three months if there have been no problems.

Vaccinations

Please see methotrexate (page 50) and speak with your child’s healthcare team. In general, ‘live’ vaccines are avoided with this medication.

Other medicines

If your child is taking either the antibiotic rifampicin, or the antiviral acyclovir, their doses may need adjusting. Please check with your child’s healthcare team.

Alcohol

There are no specific associations of increased risk of toxicity with alcohol consumption when taking this medication

Updated: 01/07/2021