Comparison of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with mycophenolate mofetil in living renal allograft transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (MPS) has been developed to decrease the GI side effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). We did a retrospective analysis of 112 patients to compare the safety and efficacy of enteric coated MPS vs MMF in living renal transplantation.


METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups. Group A who received MPS [Novartis, Basel, Switzerland] [1.08-1.44 g/d] included 53 patients of mean age 33.5 +/- 11.9 yrs, and M:F gender ratio 37:15 with a mean donor age of 43.2 +/- 9.9 years. Group B who received MMF [1.5-2.0 g/d] included 59 subjects of mean age 33.2 +/- 9.9 yrs and M:F gender ratio 57:6, with a mean donor age of 41.4 +/- 10.9 years. All patients received cyclosporine and prednisolone in addition to mycophenolate. Mean follow-up in the two groups was 11.6 +/- 7.0 and 12.6 +/- 8.5 months, respectively.


RESULTS
There were 11 (20.7%) rejection episodes in Group A and 12 (20.3%) rejection episodes in Group B (P = NS). Incidence of CMV disease was 9.61% and 10.1%, and of other infections, 88.7% and 74.7% in Groups A and Group B, respectively [P = NS]. The incidence of GI (18.9% & 20.3%) and hematologic toxicities (9.4% & 5.1%) were similar in the groups. Patient and graft survivals in Group A were 91.9% & 86.6%, and in Group B was 91.3% & 91.3%, respectively [P = NS].


CONCLUSIONS
Mycophenolate sodium is an alternative immunosuppressant to mycophenolate mofetil in kidney transplant recipients with a similar efficacy and safety profile.
Minz
M
M
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, No. 63 Sector 24, Chandigarh, India 160023. mukutminz@hotmail.com
Sharma
A
A
Heer
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid