Mycophenolate mofetil side effects

Early clinical trials indicate that mycophenolate mofetil in conjunction with cyclosporine and corticosteroids is a more effective regimen than azathioprine in preventing the acute rejection of transplanted organs. GI side effects are most common. 

Sirolimus is used for tissue transplantation where its major advantage over calci-neurin inhibitors is that it is not nephrotoxic. Chronic renal failure in transplant patients who have taken calcineurin inhibitors for the long term can be prevented by the administration of sirolimus. Steroid-free immunosuppression can be achieved by administering sirolimus alone or in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Since impaired wound healing is one of its potential side effects, some transplant centers use sirolimus only after several weeks of surgery. 

The side effects of mycophenolate mofetil include diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea/vomiting, acne, dyspnea, cough, peripheral edema, increased risk of infections, drug-induced fever, dizziness, headaches, leukopenia and anemia. 

Adverse Effects. The primary adverse effects associated with mycophenolate mofetil are blood disorders (anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia) and gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation).50 Other side effects include chest pain, cough, dyspnea, muscle pain, weakness, and cardiovascular problems (hypertension, arrhythmias). 

There is no cure for SLE. Guillermo el al. (G16) found only 10 randomized controlled trials during the past 5 years, 5 for lupus nephritis and 5 for all SLE patients. Compared to conventional therapies for lupus nephritis, a monthly bolus with intravenous cyclophosphamide is more effective than a monthly bolus with methyl prednisolone, but has significant side effects (including amenorrhea, cervical dysplasia, avascular necrosis, and herpes zoster) in both groups (G14). In order to avoid these side effects, more recent therapies have been developed. However, neither plasmapheresis (Wl), intravenous immunoglobulin (B21), recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) (D3), nor mycophenolate mofetil (C14) was shown to be more effective than conventional therapy. However, some of these... 

Mycophenolate mofetil has been used for patients resistant to or intolerant of cyclophosphamide with good efficacy and limited side effects. A recent controlled study indicates that it may be a better maintenance therapy option than cyclophosphamide. ... 

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