Ponophen 500 Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants. It is used with other medicines to prevent your body from rejecting an organ (such as a kidney, heart, or liver) after a transplant. It works by suppressing your body’s immune system so that it does not attack the new organ.
The amount of Ponophen 500 Tablet you take and how often you take it depends on the type of transplant you have. Follow your doctor’s instructions on this. Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, unless your doctor suggest otherwise. Swallow it as a whole, do not crush, chew, or break it. Take the medicine regularly to get maximum benefit and keep taking it even when you feel well. The treatment will continue for as long as you need it to prevent rejection.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, high blood pressure, infections (viral, fungal, bacterial), and changes in the number of white blood cells amongst others. You may catch more infections than usual as medicine suppresses the immune system. There is also an increased risk of developing some cancers for this reason. To reduce your risk of skin cancer, limit your exposure to the sun and use sunscreen. There is a long list of potential side effects of this medicine. You should ask your doctor about them and what signs to look out for because some of them can be serious and need urgent medical attention.
Ponophen 500 Tablet can cause birth defects and abortion so do not take it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have any signs of infection or if you have any unexpected bruising or bleeding. You should also let your healthcare team know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by, this medicine. You will have regular tests to check for any changes in the number of your blood cells and the amount of sugar and cholesterol in your blood.
In Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients
Ponophen 500 Tablet belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It lowers your immune response and reduces the chance of your body attacking the transplanted organ. Organ rejection happens when your immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it. This medicine may be used in combination with other medicines to suppress the immune system and help your body accept the new organ.
Side effects of Ponophen Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Ponophen
Bacterial infection
Fungal infection
Viral infection
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Decreased white blood cell count (lymphocytes)
Increased glucose level in blood
Increased potassium level in blood
Decreased potassium level in blood
Decreased phosphate level in blood
Confusion
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Dizziness
Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation)
Tremors
Fast heart rate
Flatulence
Headache
High blood pressure
Cough
Breathlessness
Constipation
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Blood in urine
Weakness
Edema (swelling)
Fever
Rash
How to use Ponophen Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ponophen 500 Tablet is to be taken with food.
How Ponophen Tablet works
Ponophen 500 Tablet is an immunosuppressant. It reduces the action of the body's own defense system (the immune system) and prevents rejection of the transplanted organ.
Safety advice
Alcohol
SAFE
Consuming alcohol with Ponophen 500 Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Ponophen 500 Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Ponophen 500 Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Ponophen 500 Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CAUTION
Ponophen 500 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Ponophen 500 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Ponophen 500 Tablet in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Your doctor has prescribed Ponophen 500 Tablet to stop your body from rejecting a transplanted organ (e.g. kidney, heart or liver).
It may take 6 to 12 weeks for Ponophen 500 Tablet to start working. Keep taking it as prescribed.
It may cause birth defects so birth control is required in females with reproductive potential.
It makes you more susceptible to getting infections. Avoid contact with people who have an infection. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop a sore throat, high temperature, any other signs of infections.
Protect yourself from direct sunlight by wearing protective clothing and applying a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).
Take it with food to minimize possible side effects like nausea and stomach pain.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor the levels of blood cells in your blood. Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, or fever.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Phthalide Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Immunosuppressant- Purine analogs
Patient concerns
Difficulty in excretory, and rejection of stool.
Dr. Aanchal Maheshwari
Ayurveda
take triphala churan 1 spoon at night wioth abhyarishtam 20 ml mixed with water
Dear respected sir/madam, my uncle is suffering from alcoholic liver cirrhosis and ascites due to prolonng drinking. Water is accumulated around the belly. Less ddesire to eat anything. Doctor is saying for liver transplant. Could please suggest the best treatment available in allopathy to treat this problem. Thank you very very much.
Wash acne-prone areas only twice a day. Washing removes excess oil and dead skin cells. But too much washing can irritate the skin. Wash affected areas with a gentle cleanser and use oil-free, water-based skin care products. Use non- oily makeup. Choose oil-free cosmetics that won't clog pores. Remove makeup before going to bed. Going to sleep with cosmetics on your skin can clog your pores. Avoid touching or picking at the problem areas. Doing so can trigger more acne. Always use a clean towel or cloth to wipe your face. Always keep your hands clean and wash them regularly so that you may not touch your skin with dirty hands.
If eye ratina is fully damaged then eye can be transplant
Dr. Vishal Maniar
Ophthalmology
Complete eye transplant yet not done not possible yet Only corneal transplant can be doneIf retina is fully damaged corneal transplant is not advisable as the visual prognosis is guarded
Ponophen 500 Tablet may increase your chances of certain cancers like skin cancer and lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system). When outside, avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience a new skin sore or bump, a change in the size or color of a mole, a brown or black skin lesion (sore) with uneven edges or a sore whose one part does not look like the other, skin changes, sores that do not heal. Also, inform the doctor if you experience unexplained fever, tiredness that does not go away, weight loss, or pain or swelling in the neck, groin, or armpits.
Why has my doctor given me Ponophen 500 Tablet after I have had a kidney transplant?
Ponophen 500 Tablet is an immunosuppressant. Ponophen 500 Tablet has been prescribed to you to help your body accept the donor's kidney. It does so by working on the cells of your immune system, which fight with any foreign substance and reject its presence. This helps in making the transplanted organ more acceptable to your body.
Is Ponophen 500 Tablet a steroid or chemotherapy medicine? Can it cause hair loss?
Ponophen 500 Tablet is neither a steroid nor a chemotherapy medicine. It is an immunosuppressant which means that it acts on your immune system to suppress or weaken it so that your body does not reject the donated organ of another person. Hair loss is a common side effect of Ponophen 500 Tablet.
Do I need any special tests while taking Ponophen 500 Tablet?
Since Ponophen 500 Tablet can affect blood count and affect the kidneys and liver, your doctor will ask you to have a blood test before you start the treatment. Once the treatment starts, your doctor will suggest you take regular blood tests to check for any changes in the blood. These blood tests will help monitor your response to the medicine and the development of any side effects.
My doctor has asked me to stay away from a person who has chickenpox or shingles. Why?
Ponophen 500 Tablet is an immunosuppressant, which means that it decreases the activity of the immune system. Since your immune system is already weak, if you come in contact with a patient of chickenpox or shingles, you may develop it too. This is the reason that your doctor has advised you to be cautious. Therefore, follow your doctor’s advice and contact your doctor immediately if you get chickenpox or shingles as you may require special treatment.
What precautions should a female follow while taking Ponophen 500 Tablet?
Do not take Ponophen 500 Tablet if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. There is a high risk of miscarriage (loss of the pregnancy) during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It may even cause birth defects (problems that are present at birth) in the newborn. Therefore, it is advised that you should use two acceptable forms of birth control together for 4 weeks before you start taking Ponophen 500 Tablet, during the treatment, and for 6 weeks after you stop taking Ponophen 500 Tablet. It is important to use a second form of birth control along with birth control pills as Ponophen 500 Tablet may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Your doctor will suggest the two birth control methods that\ suit you the best.
What precautions should a male follow while taking Ponophen 500 Tablet?
It is recommended that either the man or her partner should use reliable contraception during treatment and for 90 days after the treatment. Men should not donate semen during the therapy or for 90 days following discontinuation of Ponophen 500 Tablet.
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References
Krensky AM, Bennett WM, Vincenti F. Immunosuppressants, Tolerogens, and Immunostimulants. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1014-15.
Lake DF, Briggs AD, Akporiaye ET. Immunopharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 973.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 943-45.
Mycophenolate mofetil. South San Francisco, California: Genentech USA, Inc.; 1995 [revised Feb. 2019]. [Accessed 17 Jun. 2019] (online) Available from:
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Ensley RD, Bristow MR, Olsen SL, et al. The use of mycophenolate mofetil (RS-61443) in human heart transplant recipients. Transplantation. 1993 Jul;56(1):75-82. [Accessed 01 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:
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