title: Absorption characteristics of EC-MPS--an enteric-coated formulation of mycophenolic sodium.
abstract: Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium is an advanced formulation delivering mycophenolic acid (MPA), designed to improve MPA-related upper gastrointestinal adverse events by delaying MPA release until the small intestine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Two studies were undertaken to identify the absolute bioavailability and dose-proportionality of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in stable renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study 1: The mean MPA AUC(0-t) was shown to be greater after MPA infusion than after oral enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (42.1 vs. 28.9 microg x h/ml). Mean absolute bioavailability was 0.71 +/- 0.21 (SD). Study 2: The AUC(0-t) and C(max) for MPA were proportional to the dose of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium, similarly mean AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) for MPA glucuronide were proportional to dose administered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients receiving cyclosporine the absolute bioavailability of MPA provided by enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium is equivalent to that provided by mycophenolate mofetil when administered in combination with cyclosporine, and exhibits dose-proportionality. Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium was well tolerated from 180 - 2,160 mg with no serious adverse events reported.
authors.affiliation: Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Clinic Merheim, Medical Clinic I, Cologne, Germany. wolfgang.arns@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Arns
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gies
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmouder
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D020719:Glucuronides / Q000378:metabolism; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020719:Glucuronides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; C113145:mycophenolic acid glucuronide; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid