What special precautions should I follow?   

Before taking mycophenolate,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mycophenolate, mycophenolic acid, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); acyclovir (Zovirax); antibiotics; azathioprine (Imuran); chlorothiazide (Diuril); cimetidine (Tagamet); cholestyramine (Questran); colestipol (Colestid); ethacrynic acid (Edecrin); furosemide (Lasix); ganciclovir (Cytovene); isoproterenol (Isuprel); meperidine (Demerol); morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, Oramorph); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); phenytoin (Dilantin); probenecid (Benemid); procainamide (Pronestyl); quinine; salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others) and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); and theophylline (TheoDur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• if you are taking antacids, take them 2 hours before or 4 hours after mycophenolate.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had Lesch-Nyhan or Keeley-Seegmiller syndrome (inherited diseases that cause high levels of a certain substance in the blood, joint pain, and problems with motion and behavior);any disease that affects your stomach, intestines, or digestive system; any type of cancer; phenylketonuria (an inherited diseases that requires patients to follow a special diet to prevent mental retardation); and liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You must use two forms of birth control before beginning treatment with mycophenolate, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after treatment. Your doctor will not allow you to begin taking mycophenolate unless you have had a negative pregnancy test. If you become pregnant while you are taking mycophenolate, call your doctor immediately. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medication.
• do not have any vaccinations (shots) without talking to your doctor.
• if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, a inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that mycophenolate liquid may be sweetened with aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?   

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?   

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.