Chapter: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology : Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Nonopioid Analgesics,& Drugs Used in Gout

Mycophenolate Mofetil

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a semisynthetic DMARD, is converted to mycophenolic acid, the active form of the drug.

MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL

Mechanism of Action

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a semisynthetic DMARD, is converted to mycophenolic acid, the active form of the drug. The active product inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase,leading to suppression of T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation. Downstream, it interferes with leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through inhibition of E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

Indications

MMF is effective for the treatment of renal disease due to systemic lupus erythematosus and may be useful in vasculitis and Wegener’s granulomatosis. Although MMF is occasionally used at a dosage of 2 g/d to treat rheumatoid arthritis, there are no well-controlled data regarding its efficacy in this disease.

Adverse Effects

MMF is associated with nausea, dyspepsia and abdominal pain. Like azathioprine, it can cause hepatotoxicity although it is not associated with the acute febrile hepatotoxicity of that drug. MMF can cause leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. MMF is associated with an increased incidence of infections. It is only rarely associated with malignancy.

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Basic & Clinical Pharmacology : Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Nonopioid Analgesics,& Drugs Used in Gout : Mycophenolate Mofetil |