Immunosuppressants and antibiotics.

[eescvc]

I'm sure my Rheumatology consultant told me if I ever take antibiotics I have to stop taking my mycophenolate as they both make eachother less effective.

I've got an infected wisdom tooth and when I mentioned stopping my mycophenolate because I have to take antibiotics both the dentist, and later the pharmacist said I didn't have to stop the mycophenolate.

Now I'm doubting myself completely. Am I right?

Thanks

[PMRpro]

The Gateshead NHS Trust handout says:

"Patients on Mycophenolate may find that they are more prone to infections. Contact your GP at the earliest signs of infection. If you do require antibiotics, you should stop taking your Mycophenolate until the antibiotics have finished."

qegateshead.nhs.uk/sites/de...

[eescvc in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I also found on my Rheumatology hospital written confirmation of this. I thought I was right but they made me doubt myself.

[PMRpro in reply to eescvc]

Really worries me when a pharmacist hands out incorrect info - the dentist I can understand but not the pharmacist.

[eescvc in reply to PMRpro]

That was exactly my thoughts too. Plus not only did they say no it was fine, but looked at me as though I was mad for even asking!

[PMRpro in reply to eescvc]

I'd be putting in a complaint ...

[Spanielmadlady]

I take mycophenolate and have repeatedly been reminded that if I need antibs I have to stop the mmf x

[eescvc in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thanks, I also found on my Rheumatology hospital written confirmation of this. I thought I was right but they made me doubt myself.

[Oshgosh]

I always check now. I had to have a course of fluconazone . The pharmacist thought it was ok . I had the number of the respiratory pharmacist at Wythenshawe, so left a message. She got back to me. I could continue the Myclopenate, but had to stop the Axithrycin.

I have been diagnosed with interstital ling disease, lupus and rheumatoid disease. As it’s all do specialist, the GPS and general pharmacist don’t have the knowledge. It’s best to check with the experts.

Saying that since my diagnoses, they have been really good and helpful to me .

Look after yourself.

[WinterSwimmer]

I have never been told to stop MMF while taking antibiotics.

[heatherevans28]

It really depends on the severity of the infection. I have kidney infections most months at the moment and have landed in hospital with them regularly. If its a nasty one requiring a long course of antibiotics or IV then we stop my MMF while I'm recovering, but if it's not as serious and only needs 3-7 days worth of oral antibiotic then we don't.

I used to have repeated wisdom teeth infections before I got them removed and my consultant advised me that the antibiotic courses I was taking were so short, coming off the MMF had no real impact. So we never did for those.

It's definitely not black and white. If it's a long course then I would call your consultant to check. The first couple of days won't do any harm to take both, so don't worry.

Hope that helps xx

[SurferGuy]

I've never been told to stop tyco with antibiotics. In fact, recently, I was given a 2 months course of antibiotics by my nephrologist, who was also the one who put me on the myco and they didn't mention anything about stopping the myco.