Mycophenolate mofetil (INN Mycophenolic acid) belongs to the group of immunosuppressants. Let us consider in more detail in which cases it is necessary to use the drug, what are the contraindications to its use and side effects.
Besides this, we will find out if there are similar drugs in modern pharmacology.
Basic information
Mycophenolate mofetil is available as an ivory hard gelatin capsule with a white powder inside.
You can buy a drug in a pharmacy only with a prescription from a doctor.
The shelf life of the product is two years. It must be stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees.
In order to have a visual understanding of what the drug we are considering (mycophenolate mofetil) looks like, the photo above will serve as a good example.
Composition of the drug
One capsule of the product contains 250 mg of the active substance (mycophenolate mofetil). In addition, there are also auxiliary components, such as croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose,magnesium stearate and povidone.
Pharmacokinetics
After using the drug, it is completely absorbed and complete presystemic metabolism. At the same time, the concentration of the active substance in plasma is not observed due to its rapid conversion into active metabolites.
The drug is excreted from the body with urine and feces.
Indications for use
When is mycophenolate mofetil used? Instructions for use will quickly answer this question.
Doctors prescribe the drug to prevent acute transplant rejection in patients after kidney, liver or heart transplant.
Contraindications for use
There are not many cases where the use of the drug "Mycophenolate mofetil" is strictly prohibited. These include the patient's hypersensitivity to the main active substance or other components of the drug, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
The effectiveness and safety of the drug in the treatment of children have not been identified, so it should not be used in pediatrics.
Side effects
Mycophenolate mofetil can cause some side effects. Its use in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine can cause diarrhea, vomiting, sepsis and leukopenia. In some cases, the development of lymphomas and other malignant diseases, in particular of the skin, was observed.
In addition, all patients withtransplants are at risk of developing infectious diseases that were triggered by opportunistic pathogens. The most common among them are herpes, candidiasis and cytomegalovirus.
Other adverse reactions may include herpes zoster, urinary tract infection, nasopharyngitis, hyperthermia, hepatic dysfunction, esophagitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, upper respiratory infections, cough, headaches, gastroenteritis, fatigue, sinusitis, oral candidiasis, pancreatitis, pancytopenia, neuropenia and so on.
There is a threat of severe, and in some cases even dangerous phenomena, such as tuberculosis, bacterial endocarditis, atypical mycobacterial infections.
Method of administration and dosage
How to use the drug "Mycophenolate mofetil"? The instructions included with it provide the following information.
For the prevention of kidney rejection. The first dose of the drug must be administered to the body within 72 hours after the transplant. In the future, the patient will need to take 1 g twice a day.
Mycophenolate mofetil is usually given in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine.
For the prevention of heart rejection. The first dose of the drug should be taken no later than 5 days after the operation. In the future, the required amount of funds is 1.5 g twice a day
Overdose
No overdose data available for Mycophenolate Mofetil.
The product cannot be removed from the body by hemodialysis. Drugs that bind bile acids (cholestyramine) may help eliminate MPA from the body by increasing its excretion.
Application features
If a patient is diagnosed with neuropenia, it is necessary to reduce the dose of the drug and carefully monitor the patient's state of he alth or interrupt treatment with mycophenolate mofetil.
In the presence of severe chronic renal failure, you should carefully monitor your well-being and do not exceed the maximum dose of the drug, which in this case is up to 2 g per day.
Elderly patients (from 65 years old) are recommended to use 1 g of the drug 2 times a day.
There is no information on the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of patients with renal insufficiency who underwent a liver or heart transplant. There is also no information on how effective the drug is for patients with liver damage who have undergone heart transplant surgery.
Precautions
In no case should you open the capsule with the drug. Avoid direct contact with the powder: inhalation, contact with skin or mucous membranes. If this happens, you should immediately wash the affected areas with soap and water.
Means analogues
Are there medicines that can replace the drug "Mycophenolate mofetil"? Of course, there are analogues. They arehave the same INN (international nonproprietary name) or ATC code. Only the range of funds and their cost will differ slightly.
The most famous are the following drugs:
- "Buxmoon". Used in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine to prevent rejection of the heart, liver, or kidney after a transplant.
- "Zenapax". Used to prevent kidney transplant rejection in combination with cyclosporine GCS.
- "Imusporin". It is used for the prevention and treatment of transplanted organs and bone marrow, as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, endogenous uveitis, Behçet's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and other diseases.
- "Imufet". As well as the main drug, the drug is prescribed in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine to prevent rejection of a transplanted liver or kidney.
- "Lifemoon". The tool has a wide spectrum of action. It can be used to prevent and treat rejection of transplanted organs and bone marrow, as well as arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, active forms of systemic lupus erythematosus, Behcet's disease, endogenous uveitis and other diseases.
- "Myfenax". Indications for use are the same as for the main tool.
- "Myfortic". Designed to prevent kidney transplant rejection.
- "Mofilet". Indications and method of application are similar tomycophenolate mofetil.
- "Panimoon". Used in transplantation of the lungs, heart, kidney, bone marrow, pancreas, as well as in some diseases.
- "Cellcept". May be prescribed for kidney transplant.
- "Sertikan". Recommended for kidney or heart transplant patients with moderate or low immunological risk.
- "Cycloral". Used in combination with other drugs in organ transplants.
- "Equoral". It is used for transplantation of parenchymal organs, as well as for the prevention of their rejection after transplantation.
Despite the fact that they all have a similar type of action, before replacing the main medication with any other, you must first consult and consult with your doctor.
