title: Early experience with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in de novo kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to evaluate the efficacy of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) and the gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events in de novo kidney transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This noncontrolled, retrospective review includes 22 de novo kidney transplant recipients. All patients received a standard course of basiliximab and were maintained on triple-drug therapy with EC-MPS, cyclosporine microemulsion (CsA), and prednisolone. The follow-up lasted 7.9 +/- 1.2 months. The incidence of GI adverse effects were compared with those of historical mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum creatinine was maintained within 1.4 +/- 0.7 mg/dL. The 2-hour CsA postdose level was 1080 +/- 327 ng/mL initially and gradually tapered to 851 +/- 435 ng/mL. The daily EC-MPS dose was 1404 +/- 180 mg initially and gradually tapered to 1098 +/- 288 mg. The GI adverse effects at the daily dose of EC-MPS 1422 +/- 126 mg included dyspepsia 27%, acid regurgitation 18.2%, epigastralgia 9%, nausea 9%, vomiting 4.5%, and poor appetite 4.5%. In comparison those from historical MMF 2 g/d studies included dyspepsia 3.1% to 40%, epigastralgia 10%, nausea 3.7% to 34%, and vomiting 0.6% to 10.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunosuppression with CsA, EC-MPS, and steroids maintains stable graft functions. Minimal dose reduction of EC-MPS decreases GI adverse events but without significance. EC-MPC and MMF have respective GI side effects; they can be used alternatively in patients with individual GI intolerance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: H-R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J-D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lian
mesh_terms: D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid