title: Evaluation of tolerability and ability to increase immunosuppression in renal transplant patients converted from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dose reductions or discontinuations of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) result in higher incidences of acute rejection and graft loss. Converting renal transplant patients experiencing MMF-related gastrointestinal (GI) side effects to equimolar enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) may relieve GI symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective 12-month study, renal transplant patients maintained on suboptimal MMF doses (<1500 mg/d) due to GI intolerance were converted to equimolar EC-MPS followed by incremental EC-MPS dose increases (180 mg/d) every 7 weeks to an established maximum, if well tolerated. Changes in GI symptoms were assessed by physician judgment and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients (mean age: 52.0 +/- 13.6 years) were converted from MMF (930.0 +/- 153.4 mg/d) to equimolar EC-MPS (669.6 +/- 110.5 mg/d) at day 0. Twenty-three of 25 patients tolerated equimolar dose conversion and one or more EC-MPS dose increments at week 28. Compared to baseline, patients received significantly more EC-MPS at week 28 and week 49 (mean dose: 1033.0 +/- 164.8 mg/d, P < .0001 and 1001.7 +/- 209.0 mg/d, P < .0001, respectively). Two patients dropped out by week 7 for reasons unrelated to EC-MPS. The mean serum creatinine remained stable and no clinical acute rejection episodes occurred over 12 months. Mean GSRS total score remained stable through month 12 when compared to day 0 despite increases in EC-MPS dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In renal transplant patients receiving suboptimal MMF doses due to GI symptoms, conversion to EC-MPS enabled equimolar prescription and subsequent dose increase without increased GI intolerance.
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bilodeau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montambault
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemire
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D016559:Tacrolimus