Mycophenolate Mofetil for Myasthenia Gravis

Overview
Mycophenolate mofetil is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent organ rejection for people receiving transplants, but it is also prescribed off-label to treat myasthenia gravis. Mycophenolate mofetil is sold under various brand names, including CellCept and Myfortic.

Mycophenolate mofetil is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It is believed to work by limiting the number of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which produce the abnormal antibodies that cause myasthenia gravis. This suppression of the immune system allows muscle tissue affected by myasthenia gravis to heal and strengthen.

How do I take it?
Mycophenolate mofetil is available in a capsule, a tablet, a delayed-release tablet, and an oral solution. It is usually taken twice a day. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to take it.

Side effects
Mycophenolate mofetil has several common side effects including nausea, gas, vomiting, trouble sleeping, constipation, pain in the muscles and joints, headache, tremors, tingling or burning sensations on the skin, and swelling in the hands, arms, feet, and lower legs.

Rare but serious side effects include severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, rashes and itching, chest pain, dizziness, fast heartbeat, unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in urine or feces, vomiting blood or a brown substance that looks like coffee grounds, fever, stiff joints, and muscle pain.

For more information on this treatment, visit:

Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) — Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
https://myasthenia.org/Events/mycophenolate-mof...

Mycophenolate — MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601081.html