title: Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium - current and future use in transplant patients.
abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil, the morpholino ester prodrug of mycophenolic acid, is an effective immunosuppressant, although there are concerns over dose reductions and discontinuations due to gastrointestinal adverse events. Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (Myfortic) was formulated to improve mycophenolic acid-related upper gastrointestinal adverse events and to deliver effective mycophenolic acid protection. Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium 720 mg and mycophenolate mofetil 1000 mg are therapeutically equivalent in de novo transplant patients. Conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in maintenance patients can be achieved without compromising safety and efficacy. Recent studies demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in adult and pediatric renal transplant patients converted from mycophenolate mofetil, and early results also suggest that enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium can provide similar efficacy and safety as mycophenolate mofetil in de novo heart transplant patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA. hans@tx.surgery.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Hans W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Sollinger