title: Mycophenolate mofetil.
abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a relatively new systemic immunosuppressive agent whose use is rapidly increasing within the field of dermatologic. Originally used in the 1970s for the treatment of psoriasis, MMF has demonstrated efficacy in multiple types of inflammatory skin diseases. Although the safety data within the dermatologic literature is sparse, MMF's extensive use within the field of organ transplantation has demonstrated a favorable safety profile. MMF's lack of hepatic or renal toxicity is a significant advantage over immunosuppressive medications currently used in dermatology and make MMF an attractive candidate for multidrug regimens. In this review the present authors discuss the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, side effects and current uses of MMF reported within the dermatologic literature. The present authors also provide practical information regarding the use of the MMF culled from the literature as well as from the present authors' own clinical experience with the medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwerner
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid