mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Antimetabolite immunosuppressant
Licensed role
Prevention of acute kidney or liver transplant rejection in adults
Administration
Hospital-prepared slow intravenous infusion; never a rapid or bolus injection
Key safety issue
Can cause serious fetal harm and requires strict pregnancy-prevention measures
What is mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride used for?
Licensed use of the selected intravenous product:
Preventing acute rejection after allogeneic kidney transplantation in adults, with ciclosporin and corticosteroids.
Preventing acute rejection after allogeneic liver transplantation in adults, with ciclosporin and corticosteroids.
Oral mycophenolate mofetil may also be used by specialist services for some autoimmune disorders; this is not a licensed use of the selected intravenous product.
How does mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride work?
It is converted to mycophenolic acid, which restricts guanosine nucleotide production needed especially by activated T and B lymphocytes. This reduces immune-cell proliferation and the response against a transplanted organ.
mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride
This formulation is prepared and administered by trained healthcare professionals in hospital.
It is reconstituted and diluted with glucose intravenous infusion under aseptic conditions.
It is given as a controlled slow infusion into a peripheral or central vein, not as a rapid or bolus injection.
It must not be mixed or administered through the same catheter with other intravenous products unless compatibility is established.
mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, indigestion or constipation
- Headache, dizziness or tremor
- Bacterial, viral or fungal infections
- Reduced white cells, anaemia or reduced platelets
- High blood pressure, swelling or altered blood-test results
- Pain, inflammation or thrombosis around a peripheral infusion vein
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infection or sepsis
- Bone-marrow suppression causing fever, bruising, bleeding or marked weakness
- Gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding or perforation
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Persistent cough or breathlessness from serious lung complications
- Lymphoma and other cancers, particularly skin cancer, with longer-term immunosuppression
mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride in pregnancy
Mycophenolate is a major human teratogen associated with miscarriage and serious congenital malformations. It is contraindicated during pregnancy unless no suitable alternative can prevent transplant rejection. People who could become pregnant need negative pregnancy testing and reliable contraception before and during treatment and for six weeks afterwards. Contact the specialist urgently if pregnancy is suspected, but do not stop treatment without advice. For male patients, either the patient or female partner should use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days afterwards.
mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated because mycophenolic acid is excreted into human milk and could cause serious adverse effects in the infant.
mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride interactions
The transplant team should review all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Cholestyramine
Can substantially reduce exposure to active mycophenolic acid, potentially reducing efficacy.
Ciclosporin and switches to tacrolimus, sirolimus or belatacept
Changes in accompanying immunosuppression can alter mycophenolic-acid exposure and may require closer monitoring.
Certain antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin or co-amoxiclav
May temporarily reduce mycophenolic-acid exposure.
Common questions about mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
The selected intravenous product is licensed with ciclosporin and corticosteroids to prevent acute rejection after adult kidney or liver transplantation.
Is it the same as mycophenolic acid?
No. Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug that is rapidly converted to active mycophenolic acid.
Can it be taken by mouth?
This selected hydrochloride product is for intravenous infusion. Separate oral formulations exist, but any switch must be directed by the transplant team.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.