All patients receiving a kidney and/or pancreas graft should be treated with MMF in the first instance. If they are unable to tolerate it, a switch to myfortic or azathioprine may be made.
Dose
500 mg to 1g twice daily, depending on concomitant immunosuppression and renal function.
MMF is best absorbed on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after a meal, but gastrointestinal side-effects may be alleviated by taking MMF with food and further splitting the daily dose.
Mode of action
MMF is rapidly hydrolysed following absorption to mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite. MPA is a potent inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and therefore inhibits the denovo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis. B and T lymphocytes are critically dependant on the de novo pathway and so MPA inhibits B and T lymphocyte proliferation and also B-cell antibody formation.
Preparation
MMF is available as 250 mg capsules (blue-brown) and 500 mg tablets (lavender). The brand name is CELLCEPT.
Monitoring
Monitoring of MMF blood levels not needed.
Contra-indications
Pregnancy
Side-effects
Neutropenia
Gastro-intestinal bloating, cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting.
Drug interactions
- Tacrolimus increases the AUC of MPA, the active metabolite of MMF. By 3 months past transplant the increase is such that the dose of MMF may need to be reduced with time post-transplant to maintain stable systemic exposure to MPA. This effect may manifest itself in a mild drop in WBC and platelets.
- Cholestyramine and antacids - may bind MMF and significantly reduce absorption.
- Drugs which undergo tubular secretion, e.g. Aciclovir, theoretically may impair secretion of MMF and have raised blood levels themselves during concurrent administration.
- Drugs which interfere with enterohepatic recirculation potentially may reduce the efficacy of MMF.
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