Label: MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL capsule
MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL tablet, film coated

Mechanism of Action:

Mycophenolate mofetil has been demonstrated in experimental animal models to prolong the survival of allogeneic transplants (kidney, heart, liver, intestine, limb, small bowel, pancreatic islets, and bone marrow).

Mycophenolate mofetil has also been shown to reverse ongoing acute rejection in the canine renal and rat cardiac allograft models. Mycophenolate mofetil also inhibited proliferative arteriopathy in experimental models of aortic and cardiac allografts in rats, as well as in primate cardiac xenografts. Mycophenolate mofetil was used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents in these studies. Mycophenolate mofetil has been demonstrated to inhibit immunologically mediated inflammatory responses in animal models and to inhibit tumor development and prolong survival in murine tumor transplant models.

Mycophenolate mofetil is rapidly absorbed following oral administration and hydrolyzed to form MPA, which is the active metabolite. MPA is a potent, selective, uncompetitive, and reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and therefore inhibits the de novo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis without incorporation into DNA. Because T- and B-lymphocytes are critically dependent for their proliferation on de novo synthesis of purines, whereas other cell types can utilize salvage pathways, MPA has potent cytostatic effects on lymphocytes. MPA inhibits proliferative responses of T- and B-lymphocytes to both mitogenic and allospecific stimulation. Addition of guanosine or deoxyguanosine reverses the cytostatic effects of MPA on lymphocytes. MPA also suppresses antibody formation by B-lymphocytes. MPA prevents the glycosylation of lymphocyte and monocyte glycoproteins that are involved in intercellular adhesion to endothelial cells and may inhibit recruitment of leukocytes into sites of inflammation and graft rejection. Mycophenolate mofetil did not inhibit early events in the activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, such as the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), but did block the coupling of these events to DNA synthesis and proliferation.

Pharmacokinetics:

Following oral and intravenous administration, mycophenolate mofetil undergoes rapid and complete metabolism to MPA, the active metabolite. Oral absorption of the drug is rapid and essentially complete. MPA is metabolized to form the phenolic glucuronide of MPA (MPAG) which is not pharmacologically active. The parent drug, mycophenolate mofetil, can be measured systemically during the intravenous infusion; however, shortly (about 5 minutes) after the infusion is stopped or after oral administration, MMF concentration is below the limit of quantitation (0.4 μg/mL).

Absorption:

In 12 healthy volunteers, the mean absolute bioavailability of oral mycophenolate mofetil relative to intravenous mycophenolate mofetil (based on MPA AUC) was 94%. The area under the plasma-concentration time curve (AUC) for MPA appears to increase in a dose- proportional   fashion in  renal transplant patients  receiving   multiple   doses   of mycophenolate mofetil up to a daily dose of 3 g (see Table 1).

Food (27 g fat, 650 calories) had no effect on the extent of absorption (MPA AUC) of mycophenolate mofetil when administered at doses of 1.5 g bid to renal transplant patients. However, MPA Cmax was decreased by 40% in the presence of food (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Distribution:

The mean (±SD) apparent volume of distribution of MPA in 12 healthy volunteers is approximately   3.6   (±1.5)   and   4.0   (±1.2)   L/kg   following   intravenous   and   oral administration, respectively. MPA, at clinically relevant concentrations, is 97% bound to plasma albumin. MPAG is 82% bound to plasma albumin at MPAG concentration ranges that are normally seen in stable renal transplant patients; however, at higher MPAG concentrations (observed in patients with renal impairment or delayed renal graft function), the binding of MPA may be reduced as a result of competition between MPAG and MPA for protein binding. Mean blood to plasma ratio of radioactivity concentrations was approximately 0.6 indicating that MPA and MPAG do not extensively distribute into the cellular fractions of blood.

In vitro studies to evaluate the effect of other agents on the binding of MPA to human serum albumin (HSA) or plasma proteins showed that salicylate (at 25 mg/dL with HSA) and MPAG (at ≥460 µg/mL with plasma proteins) increased the free fraction of MPA. At concentrations that exceeded what is encountered clinically,  cyclosporine,  digoxin, naproxen, prednisone, propranolol, tacrolimus, theophylline, tolbutamide, and warfarin did not increase the free fraction of MPA. MPA at concentrations as high as 100 µg/mL had little effect on the binding of warfarin, digoxin or propranolol, but decreased the binding of theophylline from 53% to 45% and phenytoin from 90% to 87%.

Metabolism:

Following oral and intravenous dosing, mycophenolate mofetil undergoes complete metabolism to MPA, the active metabolite. Metabolism to MPA occurs presystemically after oral dosing. MPA is metabolized principally by glucuronyl transferase to form the phenolic glucuronide of MPA (MPAG) which is not pharmacologically active. In vivo, MPAG is converted to MPA via enterohepatic recirculation. The following metabolites of the 2-hydroxyethyl-morpholino moiety are also recovered in the urine following oral administration of mycophenolate mofetil to healthy  subjects:  N-(2-carboxymethyl)- morpholine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine, and the N-oxide of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- morpholine.

Secondary peaks in the plasma MPA concentration-time profile are usually observed 6 to 12 hours postdose.   The coadministration of cholestyramine (4 g tid) resulted in approximately a 40% decrease in the MPA AUC (largely as a consequence of lower concentrations in the terminal portion of the profile). These observations suggest that enterohepatic recirculation contributes to MPA plasma concentrations.

Increased plasma concentrations of mycophenolate mofetil metabolites (MPA 50% increase and MPAG about a 3-fold to 6-fold increase) are observed in patients with renal insufficiency (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Special Populations).

Excretion:

Negligible amount of drug is excreted as MPA (<1% of dose) in the urine. Orally administered radiolabeled mycophenolate mofetil resulted in complete recovery of the administered dose, with 93% of the administered dose recovered in the urine and 6% recovered in feces. Most (about 87%) of the administered dose is excreted in the urine as MPAG. At clinically encountered concentrations, MPA and MPAG are usually not removed    by    hemodialysis.    However,    at    high    MPAG    plasma    concentrations (>100 µg/mL), small amounts of MPAG are removed. Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, reduce MPA AUC by interfering with enterohepatic circulation of the drug (see OVERDOSAGE).

Mean (±SD) apparent half-life and plasma clearance of MPA are 17.9 (±6.5) hours and 193 (±48) mL/min following oral administration and 16.6 (±5.8) hours and 177 (±31) mL/min following intravenous administration, respectively.

Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers, Renal, Cardiac, and Hepatic Transplant Patients:

Shown below are the mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for MPA following the administration of mycophenolate mofetil given as single doses to healthy volunteers and multiple   doses   to   renal,   cardiac,   and   hepatic   transplant   patients.   In   the   early posttransplant period (<40 days posttransplant), renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients had mean MPA AUCs approximately 20% to 41% lower and mean Cmax approximately 32% to 44% lower compared to the late transplant period (3 to 6 months posttransplant).

Mean MPA AUC values following administration of 1 g bid intravenous mycophenolate mofetil over 2 hours to renal transplant patients for 5 days were about 24% higher than those observed after oral administration of a similar dose in the immediate posttransplant phase. In hepatic transplant patients, administration of 1 g bid intravenous mycophenolate mofetil followed by 1.5 g bid oral mycophenolate mofetil resulted in mean MPA AUC values similar to those found in renal transplant patients administered 1 g mycophenolate mofetil bid.

Two 500 mg tablets have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg capsules. Five mL of the 200 mg/mL constituted oral suspension have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg capsules.

Special Populations:

Shown below are the mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for MPA following the administration of oral mycophenolate mofetil given as single doses to non-transplant subjects with renal or hepatic impairment.

Renal Insufficiency:

In a single-dose study, MMF was administered as capsule or intravenous infusion over 40 minutes. Plasma MPA AUC observed after oral dosing to volunteers with severe chronic renal impairment [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <25 mL/min/1.73 m2] was about 75% higher relative to that observed in healthy volunteers (GFR >80 mL/min/1.73 m2). In addition, the single-dose plasma MPAG AUC was 3-fold to 6-fold higher in volunteers with severe renal impairment than in volunteers with mild renal impairment or healthy volunteers, consistent with the known renal elimination of MPAG. No data are available on the safety of long-term exposure to this level of MPAG.

Plasma MPA AUC observed after single-dose (1 g) intravenous dosing to volunteers (n=4)   with   severe   chronic   renal   impairment   (GFR   <25   mL/min/1.73   m2)   was 62.4 µg·h/mL (±19.3). Multiple dosing of mycophenolate mofetil in patients with severe chronic renal impairment has not been studied (see PRECAUTIONS: Generaland DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

In patients with delayed renal graft function posttransplant, mean MPA AUC(0-12h) was comparable to that seen in posttransplant patients without delayed renal graft function. There is a potential for a transient increase in the free fraction and concentration of plasma MPA in patients with delayed renal graft function. However, dose adjustment does not appear to be necessary in patients with delayed renal graft function. Mean plasma MPAG AUC(0-12h) was 2-fold to 3-fold higher than in posttransplant patients without delayed renal graft function (see PRECAUTIONS: Generaland DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

In 8 patients with primary graft non-function following renal transplantation, plasma concentrations of MPAG accumulated about 6-fold to 8-fold after multiple dosing for 28 days. Accumulation of MPA was about 1-fold to 2-fold.

The  pharmacokinetics  of mycophenolate  mofetil   are  not  altered by  hemodialysis. Hemodialysis usually does not remove MPA or MPAG. At high concentrations of MPAG  (>100 µg/mL), hemodialysis removes only small amounts of MPAG.

Hepatic Insufficiency:

In a single-dose (1 g oral) study of 18 volunteers with alcoholic cirrhosis and 6 healthy volunteers, hepatic MPA glucuronidation processes appeared to be relatively unaffected by hepatic parenchymal disease when pharmacokinetic parameters of healthy volunteers and alcoholic cirrhosis patients within this study were compared. However, it should be noted that for unexplained reasons, the healthy volunteers in this study had about a 50% lower AUC as compared to healthy volunteers in other studies, thus making comparisons between volunteers with alcoholic cirrhosis and healthy volunteers difficult. Effects of hepatic disease on this process probably depend on the particular disease. Hepatic disease with other etiologies, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, may show a different effect. In a single-dose (1 g intravenous) study of 6 volunteers with severe hepatic impairment (aminopyrine breath test less than 0.2% of dose) due to alcoholic cirrhosis, MMF was rapidly converted to MPA. MPA AUC was 44.1 µg·h/mL (±15.5).

Pediatrics:

The pharmacokinetic parameters of MPA and MPAG have been evaluated in 55 pediatric patients (ranging from 1 year to 18 years of age) receiving mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension at a dose  of 600  mg/m2  bid  (up  to  a  maximum  of  1   g  bid)  after  allogeneic  renal transplantation. The pharmacokinetic data for MPA is provided in Table 3:

The mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension dose of 600 mg/m2 bid (up to a maximum of 1 g bid) achieved mean MPA AUC values in pediatric patients similar to those seen in adult renal transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules at a dose of 1 g bid in the early posttransplant period. There was wide variability in the data. As observed in adults, early posttransplant MPA AUC values were approximately 45% to 53% lower than those observed in the later posttransplant period (>3 months). MPA AUC values were similar in the early and late posttransplant period across the 1 year to 18 year age range.

Gender:

Data obtained from several studies were pooled to look at any gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of MPA (data were adjusted to 1 g oral dose). Mean (±SD) MPA AUC(0-12h) for males (n=79) was 32.0 (±14.5) and for females (n=41) was   36.5 (±18.8) µg·h/mL while mean (±SD) MPA Cmax was 9.96 (±6.19) in the males and 10.6 (±5.64) µg/mL in the females. These differences are not of clinical significance.

Geriatrics:

Pharmacokinetics in the elderly have not been studied.

CLINICAL STUDIES

Adults:

The safety and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine for the prevention of organ rejection were assessed in randomized, double-blind, multicenter trials in renal (3 trials), in cardiac (1 trial), and in hepatic (1 trial) adult transplant patients.

Renal Transplant:

Adults:

The three renal studies compared two dose levels of oral mycophenolate mofetil (1 g bid and 1.5 g bid) with azathioprine (2 studies) or placebo (1 study) when administered in combination with cyclosporine (Sandimmune®) and corticosteroids to prevent acute rejection episodes. One study also included antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM®) induction therapy. These studies are described by geographic location of the investigational  sites.  One  study was conducted in the USA at 14 sites, one study was conducted in Europe at 20 sites, and one study was conducted in Europe, Canada, and Australia at a total of 21 sites.

The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients in each treatment group who experienced treatment failure within the first 6 months after transplantation (defined as biopsy-proven acute rejection on treatment or the occurrence of death, graft loss or early termination from the study for any reason without prior biopsy-proven rejection). Mycophenolate mofetil, when administered with antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM®) induction (one study) and with cyclosporine and corticosteroids (all three studies), was compared to the following three   therapeutic regimens:

1. antithymocyteglobulin (ATGAM®) induction/azathioprine/ cyclosporine/ corticosteroids,
2. azathioprine/cyclosporine/corticosteroids, and
3. cyclosporine/corticosteroids.

Mycophenolate mofetil, in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine reduced (statistically significant at 0.05 level) the incidence of treatment failure within the first 6 months following transplantation. Table 4 and Table 5 summarize the results of these studies. These tables show (1) the proportion of patients experiencing treatment failure, (2) the proportion of patients who experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection on treatment, and (3) early termination, for any reason other than graft loss or death, without a prior biopsy- proven acute rejection episode. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of death or graft loss, and the cumulative incidence of graft loss and patient death are summarized separately. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were not followed for the occurrence of acute rejection after termination. More patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil discontinued without prior biopsy-proven rejection, death or graft loss than discontinued in the control groups, with the highest rate in the mycophenolate mofetil 3 g/day group. Therefore, the acute rejection rates may be underestimates, particularly in the mycophenolate mofetil    3 g/day group.

The cumulative incidence of 12-month graft loss or patient death is presented below. No advantage of mycophenolate mofetil with respect to graft loss or patient death was established. Numerically, patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day and 3 g/day experienced a better outcome than controls in all three studies; patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day experienced a better outcome than mycophenolate mofetil 3 g/day in two of the three studies. Patients in all treatment groups who terminated treatment early were found to have a poor outcome with respect to graft loss or patient death at 1 year.

Pediatrics:

One open-label, safety and pharmacokinetic study of mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension 600 mg/m2 bid (up to 1 g bid) in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids was performed at centers in the US (9), Europe (5) and Australia (1) in 100 pediatric patients (3 months to 18 years of age) for the prevention of renal allograft rejection. Mycophenolate mofetil was well   tolerated in pediatric patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS), and the pharmacokinetics profile was similar to that seen in adult patients dosed with 1 g bid mycophenolate mofetil capsules (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics). The rate of biopsy-proven rejection was similar across the age groups (3 months to <6 years, 6 years to <12 years, 12 years to 18 years). The overall biopsy-proven rejection rate at 6 months was comparable to adults. The combined incidence of graft loss (5%) and patient death (2%) at 12 months posttransplant was similar to that observed in adult renal transplant patients.

Cardiac Transplant:

A double-blind, randomized, comparative, parallel-group, multicenter study in primary cardiac transplant recipients was performed at 20 centers in the United States, 1 in Canada, 5 in Europe and 2 in Australia. The total number of patients enrolled was 650; 72 never received study drug and 578 received study drug. Patients received mycophenolate mofetil 1.5 g bid (n=289) or azathioprine 1.5 to 3 mg/kg/day (n=289), in combination with cyclosporine (Sandimmune® or Neoral®) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. The two primary efficacy endpoints were: (1) the proportion of patients who, after transplantation, had at least one endomyocardial biopsy-proven rejection with hemodynamic compromise, or were retransplanted or died, within the first 6 months, and (2) the proportion of patients who died or were retransplanted during the first 12 months following transplantation. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of allograft rejection for up to 6 months and for the occurrence of death for 1 year.

1. Rejection:

No difference was established between mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine (AZA) with respect to biopsy-proven rejection with hemodynamic compromise.

1. Survival:

Mycophenolate mofetil was shown to be at least as effective as AZA in preventing death or retransplantation at 1 year (see Table 6).

Hepatic Transplant:

A double-blind, randomized, comparative, parallel-group, multicenter study in primary hepatic transplant recipients was performed at 16 centers in the United States, 2 in Canada, 4 in Europe and 1 in Australia. The total number of patients enrolled was 565. Per protocol, patients received mycophenolate mofetil 1 g bid intravenously for up to 14 days followed by mycophenolate mofetil 1.5 g bid orally or azathioprine 1 to 2 mg/kg/ day intravenously followed by azathioprine 1 to 2 mg/kg/day orally, in combination with cyclosporine (Neoral®) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. The actual median oral dose of azathioprine on study was 1.5 mg/kg/day (range of 0.3 to 3.8 mg/kg/day) initially and 1.26 mg/kg/day (range of 0.3 to 3.8 mg/kg/day) at 12 months. The two primary endpoints were: (1) the proportion of patients who experienced, in the first 6 months posttransplantation, one or more episodes of biopsy-proven and treated rejection or death or retransplantation, and (2) the proportion of patients who experienced graft loss (death or retransplantation) during the first 12 months posttransplantation. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of allograft rejection and for the occurrence of graft loss (death or retransplantation) for 1 year.

Results:

In combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil obtained a lower rate of acute rejection at 6 months and a similar rate of death or retransplantation at 1 year compared to azathioprine.

Renal, Cardiac, and Hepatic Transplant:

Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets are indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic renal, cardiac or hepatic transplants. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and/or tablets should be used concomitantly with cyclosporine and corticosteroids.

Mycophenolate mofetil Intravenous is an alternative dosage form to mycophenolate mofetil capsules, mycophenolate mofetil tablets and oral suspension. Mycophenolate mofetil Intravenous should be administered within 24 hours following transplantation. Mycophenolate mofetil Intravenous can be administered for up to 14 days; patients should be switched to oral mycophenolate mofetil as soon as they can tolerate oral medication.

Lymphoma and Malignancy

Patients receiving   immunosuppressive regimens involving   combinations   of drugs, including mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets, as part of an immunosuppressive regimen are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). The risk appears to be related to the intensity and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent.

As usual for patients with increased risk for skin cancer, exposure to sunlight and UV light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma developed in 0.4% to 1% of patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets (2 g or 3 g) with other immunosuppressive agents in controlled clinical trials of renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

In pediatric patients, no other malignancies besides lymphoproliferative disorder (2/148 patients) have been observed (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Combination with Other Immunosuppressive Agents

Mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets have been administered in combination with the following agents in clinical trials: antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM®), OKT3 (Orthoclone OKT® 3), cyclosporine (Sandimmune® , Neoral®) and corticosteroids. The efficacy and safety of the use of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets in combination with other immunosuppressive agents have not been determined.

Infections

Oversuppression of the immune system can also increase susceptibility to infection, including opportunistic infections, fatal infections, and sepsis. In patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets (2 g or 3 g) in controlled studies for prevention of renal, cardiac or hepatic rejection, fatal infection/sepsis occurred in approximately 2% of renal and cardiac patients and in 5% of hepatic patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Latent Viral Infections

Immunosuppressed patients are at increased risk for opportunistic infections, including activation of latent viral infections. These include cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) which have been observed in patients receiving immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets.

Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), sometimes fatal, have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets. Hemiparesis, apathy, confusion, cognitive deficiencies and ataxia were the most frequent clinical features observed. The reported cases generally had risk factors for PML, including treatment with immunosuppressant therapies and impairment of immune function. In immunosuppressed patients, physicians should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients reporting neurological symptoms and consultation with a neurologist should be considered as clinically indicated. Consideration should be given to reducing the amount of immunosuppression in patients who develop PML. In transplant patients, physicians should also consider the risk that reduced immunosuppression represents to the graft.

BKVAN is associated with serious outcomes, including deteriorating renal function and renal graft loss (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Postmarketing Experience). Patient monitoring may help detect patients at risk for BK virus-associated nephropathy. Reduction in immunosuppression should be considered for patients who develop evidence of BK virus-associated nephropathy.

Pregnancy:

Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Use of MMF during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of congenital malformations, especially external ear and other facial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate, and anomalies of the distal limbs, heart, esophagus, and kidney. In the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR), there were data on 33 MMF-exposed pregnancies in 24 transplant patients; there were 15 spontaneous abortions (45%) and 18 live-born infants. Four of these 18 infants had structural malformations (22%). In postmarketing data (collected 1995-2007) on 77 women exposed to systemic MMF during pregnancy, 25 had spontaneous abortions and 14 had a malformed infant or fetus. Six of 14 malformed offspring had ear abnormalities. Because these postmarketing data are reported voluntarily, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of particular adverse outcomes. These malformations seen in offspring were similar to findings in animal reproductive toxicology studies. For comparison, the background rate for congenital anomalies in the United States is about 3%, and NTPR data show a rate of 4-5% among babies born to organ transplant patients using other immunosuppressive drugs.

In animal reproductive toxicology studies, there were increased rates of fetal resorptions and malformations in the absence of maternal toxicity. Female rats and rabbits received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) doses equivalent to 0.02 to 0.9 times the recommended human dose for renal and cardiac transplant patients, based on body surface area conversions. In rat offspring, malformations included anophthalmia, agnathia, and hydrocephaly. In rabbit offspring, malformations included ectopia cordis, ectopic kidneys, diaphragmatic hernia, and umbilical hernia.

If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. In certain situations, the patient and her healthcare practitioner may decide that the maternal benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. Women using mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets at any time during pregnancy should be encouraged to enroll in the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry.

Pregnancy Exposure Prevention:

Women of childbearing potential should have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL within 1 week prior to beginning therapy. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets therapy should not be initiated until a negative pregnancy test report is obtained.

Women of childbearing potential (including pubertal girls and peri-menopausal women) taking mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets must receive contraceptive counseling and use effective contraception. The patient should begin using her two chosen methods of contraception 4 weeks prior to starting mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets therapy, unless abstinence is the chosen method. She should continue contraceptive use during therapy and for 6 weeks after stopping mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets. Patients should be aware that mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets reduces blood levels of the hormones in the oral contraceptive pill and could theoretically reduce its effectiveness (see PRECAUTIONS : Information for Patientsand PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions: Oral Contraceptives).

Neutropenia:

Severe neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <0.5 x 103 µL] developed in up to 2.0% of renal, up to 2.8% of cardiac, and up to 3.6% of hepatic transplant patients receiving  mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets 3 g  daily (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).  Patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be monitored for neutropenia (see PRECAUTIONS:  Laboratory Tests). The development of neutropenia may be related to mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets itself, concomitant medications, viral infections, or some combination of these causes.  If neutropenia develops (ANC <1.3 x 103/µL), dosing with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be interrupted or the dose reduced, appropriate diagnostic tests performed, and the patient managed appropriately (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Neutropenia has been observed most frequently in the period from 31 to 180 days posttransplant in patients treated for prevention of renal, cardiac, and hepatic rejection.

Patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be instructed to report immediately any evidence of infection, unexpected bruising, bleeding or any other manifestation of bone marrow depression.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. The mechanism for mycophenolate mofetil induced PRCA is unknown; the relative contribution of other immunosuppressants and their combinations in an immunosuppression regimen are also unknown. In some cases, PRCA was found to be reversible with dose reduction or cessation of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets therapy. In transplant patients, however, reduced immunosuppression may place the graft at risk.

CAUTION:    MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL   INTRAVENOUS    SOLUTION    SHOULD   NEVER   BE ADMINISTERED BY RAPID OR BOLUS INTRAVENOUS INJECTION.

General:

Gastrointestinal bleeding (requiring hospitalization) has been observed in approximately 3% of renal, in 1.7% of cardiac, and in 5.4% of hepatic transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets 3 g daily. In pediatric renal transplant patients, 5/148 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding (requiring hospitalization) were observed.

Gastrointestinal perforations have rarely been observed. Most patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets were also receiving other drugs known to be associated with these complications. Patients with active peptic ulcer disease were excluded from enrollment in studies with mycophenolate mofetil. Because mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets have been associated with an increased incidence of digestive system adverse   events, including infrequent cases of gastrointestinal tract ulceration, hemorrhage, and perforation, mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be administered with caution in patients with active serious digestive system disease.

Subjects with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m2) who have received single doses of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets showed higher plasma MPA and MPAG AUCs relative to subjects with lesser degrees of renal impairment or normal healthy volunteers. No data are available on the safety of long-term exposure to these levels of MPAG. Doses of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets greater than 1 g administered twice a day to renal transplant patients should be avoided and they should be carefully observed (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

No data are available for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets may be used for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

In patients with delayed renal graft function posttransplant, mean MPA AUC(0-12h) was comparable, but MPAG AUC(0-12h) was 2-fold to 3-fold higher, compared to that seen in posttransplant patients without delayed renal graft function. In the three controlled studies of prevention of renal rejection, there were 298 of 1483 patients (20%) with delayed graft function. Although patients with delayed graft function have a higher incidence of certain adverse events (anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperkalemia) than patients without delayed graft function, these events were not more frequent in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets than azathioprine or placebo. No dose adjustment is recommended for these   patients;   however,   they   should   be   carefully   observed   (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

In cardiac transplant patients, the overall incidence of opportunistic infections was approximately 10% higher in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets than in those receiving azathioprine therapy, but this difference was not associated with excess mortality due to infection/sepsis among patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

There were more herpes virus (H. simplex, H. zoster, and cytomegalovirus) infections in cardiac transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets compared to those treated with azathioprine (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

It is recommended that mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets not be administered concomitantly with azathioprine because both have the potential to cause bone marrow suppression and such concomitant administration has not been studied clinically.

In view of the significant reduction in the AUC of MPA by cholestyramine, caution should be used in the concomitant administration of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets with drugs that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation because of the potential to reduce the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions).

On theoretical grounds, because mycophenolate mofetil is an IMPDH (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase) inhibitor, it should be avoided in patients with rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan and Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.

During treatment with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets, the use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided and   patients   should   be   advised   that   vaccinations   may   be   less   effective   (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions: Live Vaccines).

Information for Patients:

• Give patients complete dosage instructions and inform them about the increased risk of lymphoproliferative disease and certain other malignancies.
• Inform patients that they need repeated appropriate laboratory tests while they are taking mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets.
• Inform women of childbearing potential that use of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of birth defects, and that they must use effective contraception.
• Discuss pregnancy plans with female patients of childbearing potential.
• Any female of childbearing potential must use highly effective (two methods) contraception 4 weeks prior to starting mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets therapy and continue contraception until 6 weeks after stopping mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets treatment, unless abstinence is the chosen method (see WARNINGS: Pregnancy).
• A patient who is planning a pregnancy should not use mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets unless she cannot be successfully treated with other immunosuppressant drugs.

Laboratory Tests:

Complete blood counts should be performed weekly during the first month, twice monthly for the second and third months of treatment, then monthly through the first year (see WARNINGS, ADVERSE REACTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Drug Interactions:

Drug   interaction   studies with mycophenolate mofetil have been conducted with acyclovir, antacids, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, ganciclovir, oral contraceptives, sevelamer, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, norfloxacin and metronidazole. Drug interaction studies have not been conducted with other drugs that may be commonly administered to renal, cardiac or hepatic transplant patients. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets have not been administered concomitantly with azathioprine.

Acyclovir:

Coadministration of mycophenolate mofetil (1 g) and acyclovir (800 mg) to 12 healthy volunteers resulted in no significant change in MPA AUC and Cmax. However, MPAG and acyclovir plasma AUCs were increased 10.6% and 21.9%, respectively. Because MPAG plasma concentrations are increased in the presence of renal impairment, as are acyclovir concentrations, the potential exists for mycophenolate and acyclovir or its prodrug (e.g. valacyclovir) to compete for tubular secretion, further increasing the concentrations of both drugs.

Antacids with Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxides:

Absorption of a single dose of mycophenolate mofetil (2 g) was decreased when administered to ten rheumatoid arthritis patients also taking Maalox® TC (10 mL qid). The Cmax and AUC(0-24h) for MPA were 33% and 17% lower, respectively, than when mycophenolate mofetil was administered alone under fasting conditions. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets may be administered to patients who are also taking antacids containing magnesium and aluminum hydroxides; however, it is recommended that mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets and the antacid not be administered simultaneously.

Cholestyramine:

Following single-dose administration of 1.5 g mycophenolate mofetil to 12 healthy volunteers pretreated with 4 g tid of cholestyramine for 4 days, MPA AUC decreased approximately 40%. This decrease is consistent with interruption of enterohepatic recirculation which may be due to binding of recirculating MPAG with cholestyramine in the intestine. Some degree of enterohepatic recirculation is also anticipated following intravenous administration of mycophenolate mofetil. Therefore, mycophenolate mofetil  capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets are not recommended to be given  with  cholestyramine  or  other  agents  that  may  interfere  with  enterohepatic recirculation.

Cyclosporine:

Cyclosporine (Sandimmune®) pharmacokinetics (at doses of 275 to 415 mg/day) were unaffected by single and multiple doses of 1.5 g bid of mycophenolate mofetil in 10 stable renal transplant patients. The mean (±SD) AUC(0-12h) and Cmax of cyclosporine after 14 days of multiple doses of mycophenolate mofetil were 3290 (±822) ng•h/mL and 753 (±161) ng/mL, respectively, compared to 3245 (±1088) ng•h/mL and 700 (±246) ng/mL, respectively, 1 week before administration of mycophenolate mofetil.

In renal transplant patients, mean MPA exposure (AUC0-12h) was approximately 30-50% greater when mycophenolate mofetil is administered without cyclosporine compared with when mycophenolate mofetil is coadministered with cyclosporine. This interaction is due to cyclosporine inhibition of multidrug-resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP-2) transporter in the biliary tract, thereby preventing the excretion of MPAG into the bile that would lead to enterohepatic recirculation of MPA. This information should be taken into consideration when MMF is used without cyclosporine.

Ganciclovir:

Following   single-dose   administration   to   12   stable   renal   transplant   patients,   no pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between mycophenolate mofetil (1.5 g) and intravenous ganciclovir (5 mg/kg). Mean (±SD) ganciclovir AUC and Cmax (n=10) were 54.3 (±19.0) µg·h/mL and 11.5 (±1.8) µg/mL, respectively, after coadministration of the two drugs, compared to 51.0 (±17.0) µg·h/mL and 10.6 (±2.0) µg/mL, respectively, after administration of intravenous ganciclovir alone. The mean (±SD) AUC and Cmax of MPA

(n=12) after coadministration were 80.9 (±21.6) µg·h/mL and 27.8 (±13.9) µg/mL, respectively, compared to values of 80.3 (±16.4) µg·h/mL and 30.9 (±11.2) µg/mL, respectively, after administration of mycophenolate mofetil alone. Because MPAG plasma concentrations are increased in the presence of renal impairment, as are ganciclovir concentrations, the two drugs will compete for tubular secretion and thus further increases in concentrations of both drugs may occur. In patients with renal impairment in which MMF and ganciclovir or its prodrug (e.g., valganciclovir) are coadministered, patients should be monitored carefully.

Oral Contraceptives:

A study of coadministration of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets (1 g bid) and combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol (0.02 mg to 0.04 mg) and levonorgestrel (0.05 mg to 0.20 mg), desogestrel (0.15 mg) or gestodene (0.05 mg to 0.10 mg) was conducted in 18 women with psoriasis over 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Mean AUC(0-24h) was similar for ethinylestradiol and 3-keto desogestrel; however, mean  levonorgestrel AUC(0-24h) significantly  decreased by about  15%. There was large inter-patient variability (%CV in the range of 60% to 70%) in the data, especially for ethinylestradiol. Mean serum levels of LH, FSH and progesterone were not significantly affected. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets may not have any influence on the ovulation-suppressing action of the studied oral   contraceptives.   However,   it   is   recommended   that  oral contraceptives are coadministered with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets with caution and additional birth control methods be considered (see WARNINGS: Pregnancy).

Sevelamer:

Concomitant administration of sevelamer and mycophenolate mofetil in adult and pediatric patients decreased the mean MPA Cmax and AUC0-12h by 36% and 26% respectively. This data suggest that sevelamer and other calcium free phosphate binders should not be administered simultaneously with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets. Alternatively, it is recommended that sevelamer and other calcium free phosphate binders preferentially could be given 2 hours after mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets intake to minimize the impact on the absorption of MPA.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole:

Following single-dose administration of mycophenolate mofetil (1.5 g) to 12 healthy male volunteers on day 8 of a 10 day course of trimethoprim 160 mg/sulfamethoxazole 800 mg administered bid, no effect on the bioavailability of MPA was observed. The mean (±SD) AUC and Cmax of MPA after concomitant administration were 75.2 (±19.8) µg·h/mL and 34.0 (±6.6) µg/mL, respectively, compared to 79.2 (±27.9) µg·h/mL and 34.2 (±10.7) µg·h/mL, respectively, after administration of mycophenolate mofetil alone.

Norfloxacin and Metronidazole:

Following single-dose administration of mycophenolate mofetil (1 g) to 11 healthy volunteers on day 4 of a 5 day course of a combination of norfloxacin and metronidazole, the mean MPA AUC0-48h was significantly reduced by 33% compared to the administration of mycophenolate mofetil alone (p<0.05). Therefore, mycophenolate mofetil capsule or mycophenolate mofetil tablet is not recommended to be given with the combination of norfloxacin and metronidazole. There was no significant effect on mean MPA AUC0-48h when mycophenolate mofetil was concomitantly administered with norfloxacin or metronidazole separately. The mean (±SD) MPA AUC0-48h after coadministration of mycophenolate mofetil with norfloxacin or metronidazole separately was 48.3 (±24) µg·h/mL and 42.7 (±23) µg·h/mL, respectively, compared with 56.2 (±24) µg·h/mL after administration of mycophenolate mofetil alone.

Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin plus Clavulanic Acid

A total of 64 mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets-treated renal transplant recipients received either oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg bid or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid 375 mg tid for 7 or at least 14 days. Approximately 50% reductions in median trough MPA concentrations (predose) from baseline (mycophenolate mofetil alone) were observed in 3 days following commencement of oral ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. These reductions in trough MPA concentrations tended to diminish within 14 days of antibiotic therapy and ceased within 3 days after discontinuation of antibiotics. The postulated mechanism for this interaction is an antibiotic-induced reduction in glucuronidase-possessing enteric organisms leading to a decrease in enterohepatic recirculation of MPA. The change in trough level may not accurately represent changes in overall MPA exposure; therefore, clinical relevance of these observations is unclear.

Rifampin:

In a single heart-lung transplant patient, after correction for dose, a 67% decrease in MPA exposure (AUC0-12h) has been observed with concomitant administration of mycophenolate mofetil and rifampin. Therefore, mycophenolate mofetil capsule or mycophenolate mofetil tablet is not recommended to be given with rifampin concomitantly unless the benefit outweighs the risk.

Other Interactions:

The measured value for renal clearance of MPAG indicates removal occurs by renal tubular secretion as well as glomerular filtration. Consistent with this, coadministration of probenecid, a known inhibitor of tubular secretion, with mycophenolate mofetil in monkeys results in a 3-fold increase in plasma MPAG AUC and a 2-fold increase in plasma MPA AUC. Thus, other drugs known to undergo renal tubular secretion may compete with MPAG and thereby raise plasma concentrations of MPAG or the other drug undergoing tubular secretion.

Drugs that alter the gastrointestinal flora may interact with mycophenolate mofetil by disrupting enterohepatic recirculation. Interference of MPAG hydrolysis may lead to less MPA available for absorption.

Live Vaccines:

During treatment with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets, the use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided and   patients   should   be   advised   that   vaccinations   may   be   less   effective   (see PRECAUTIONS: General). Influenza vaccination may be of value. Prescribers should refer to national guidelines for influenza vaccination.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility:

In a 104-week oral carcinogenicity study in mice, mycophenolate mofetil in daily doses up to 180 mg/kg was not tumorigenic. The highest dose tested was 0.5 times the recommended clinical dose (2 g/day) in renal transplant patients and 0.3 times the recommended clinical dose (3 g/day) in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for differences in body surface area (BSA). In a 104-week oral carcinogenicity study in rats, mycophenolate mofetil in daily doses up to 15 mg/kg was not tumorigenic. The highest dose was 0.08 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.05 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. While these animal doses were lower than those given to patients, they were maximal in those species and were considered adequate to evaluate the potential for   human risk (see WARNINGS).

The genotoxic potential of mycophenolate mofetil was determined in five assays. Mycophenolate mofetil was genotoxic in the mouse lymphoma/thymidine kinase assay and the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay. Mycophenolate mofetil was not genotoxic in the bacterial mutation assay, the yeast mitotic gene conversion assay or the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomal aberration assay.

Mycophenolate mofetil had no effect on fertility of male rats at oral doses up to 20 mg/kg/day. This dose represents 0.1 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.07 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. In a female fertility and reproduction study conducted in rats, oral doses of 4.5 mg/kg/day caused malformations (principally of the head and eyes) in the first generation offspring in the absence of maternal toxicity. This dose was 0.02 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.01 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. No effects on fertility or reproductive parameters were evident in the dams or in the subsequent generation.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D.

See WARNINGS section.

Nursing Mothers:

Studies in rats treated with mycophenolate mofetil have shown mycophenolic acid to be excreted in milk. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from mycophenolate mofetil, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use:

Based on pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients after renal transplantation, the recommended dose of mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension is 600 mg/m2 bid (up to a maximum of 1 g bid).   Also see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, CLINICAL STUDIES, ADVERSE REACTIONS , and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients receiving allogeneic cardiac or hepatic transplants have not been established.

Geriatric Use:

Clinical studies of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and of concomitant or other drug therapy. Elderly patients may be at an increased risk of adverse reactions compared with younger individuals (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Geriatrics:

Elderly patients (≥65 years), particularly those who are receiving mycophenolate mofetil  capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets as part of a combination immunosuppressive regimen, may be at increased risk of certain infections (including cytomegalovirus [CMV] tissue invasive disease) and possibly gastrointestinal hemorrhage and pulmonary edema, compared to younger individuals (see PRECAUTIONS).

Safety data are summarized below for all active-controlled trials in renal (2 trials), cardiac (1 trial), and hepatic (1 trial) transplant patients. Approximately 53% of the renal patients, 65% of the cardiac patients, and 48% of the hepatic patients have been treated for more than 1 year. Adverse events reported in ≥20% of patients in the mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets treatment groups are presented below.

The placebo-controlled renal transplant study generally showed fewer adverse events occurring in ≥20% of patients. In addition, those that occurred were not only qualitatively similar to the azathioprine-controlled renal transplant studies, but also occurred at lower rates, particularly for infection, leukopenia, hypertension, diarrhea and respiratory infection.

The above data demonstrate that in three controlled trials for prevention of renal rejection, patients receiving 2 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets had an overall better safety profile than did patients receiving 3 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets.

The above data demonstrate that the types of adverse events observed in multicenter controlled trials in renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients are qualitatively similar except for those that are unique to the specific organ involved.

Sepsis, which was generally CMV viremia, was slightly more common in renal transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets compared to patients treated with azathioprine. The incidence of sepsis was comparable in mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets and in azathioprine-treated patients in cardiac and hepatic studies.

In the digestive system, diarrhea was increased in renal and cardiac transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets compared to patients receiving azathioprine, but was comparable in hepatic transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets or azathioprine.

Patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets alone or as part of an immunosuppressive regimen are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see WARNINGS:Lymphoma and Malignancy). The incidence of malignancies among the 1483 patients treated in controlled trials for the prevention of renal allograft rejection who were followed for ≥1 year was similar to the incidence reported in the literature for renal allograft recipients.

Lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma developed in 0.4% to 1% of patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets (2 g or 3 g daily) with other immunosuppressive agents in controlled clinical trials of renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients followed for at least 1 year (see WARNINGS:Lymphoma and Malignancy). Non-melanoma skin carcinomas occurred in 1.6% to 4.2% of patients, other types of malignancy in 0.7% to 2.1% of patients. Three-year safety data in renal and cardiac transplant patients did not reveal any unexpected changes in incidence of malignancy compared to the 1-year data.

In pediatric patients, no other malignancies besides lymphoproliferative disorder (2/148 patients) have been observed.

Severe neutropenia (ANC <0.5 x 103/µL) developed in up to 2.0% of renal transplant patients, up to 2.8% of cardiac transplant patients and up to 3.6% of hepatic transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets 3 g daily (see WARNINGS:Neutropenia, PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

All transplant patients are at increased risk of opportunistic infections. The risk increases with total immunosuppressive load (see WARNINGS:Infections and WARNINGS: Latent Viral Infections). Table 9 shows the incidence of opportunistic infections that occurred in the renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant populations in the azathioprine-controlled prevention trials:

The following other opportunistic infections occurred with an incidence of less than 4% in mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets patients in the above azathioprine-controlled studies: Herpes zoster, visceral disease; Candida, urinary tract infection, fungemia/disseminated disease, tissue invasive disease; Cryptococcosis; Aspergillus/Mucor; Pneumocystis carinii.

In the placebo-controlled renal transplant study, the same pattern of opportunistic infection was observed compared to the azathioprine-controlled renal studies, with a notably lower incidence of the following: Herpes simplex and CMV tissue-invasive disease.

In patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets (2 g or 3 g) in controlled studies for prevention of renal, cardiac or hepatic rejection, fatal infection/sepsis occurred in approximately 2% of renal and cardiac patients and in 5% of hepatic patients (see WARNINGS: Infections).

In cardiac transplant patients, the overall incidence of opportunistic infections was approximately 10% higher in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets than in those receiving azathioprine, but this difference was not associated with excess mortality due to infection/sepsis among patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets.

The following adverse events were reported with 3% to <20% incidence in renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets, in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids.

Pediatrics:

The type and frequency of adverse events in a clinical study in 100 pediatric patients 3 months to 18 years of age dosed with mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension 600 mg/m2  bid (up to 1 g bid) were generally similar to those observed in adult patients dosed with mycophenolate mofetil capsules at a dose of 1 g bid with the exception of abdominal pain, fever, infection, pain, sepsis,   diarrhea,   vomiting,   pharyngitis,   respiratory   tract   infection, hypertension, leukopenia, and anemia, which were observed in a higher proportion in pediatric patients.

Mycophenolate Mofetil Intravenous:

The adverse event profile of mycophenolate mofetil intravenous was determined from a single, double-blind, controlled comparative study of the safety of 2 g/day of intravenous and oral mycophenolate mofetil in renal transplant patients in the immediate posttransplant period (administered for the first 5 days).  The potential venous irritation of mycophenolate mofetil intravenous was evaluated by comparing the adverse events attributable to peripheral venous infusion of mycophenolate mofetil intravenous with those observed in the intravenous placebo group; patients in this group received active medication by the oral route.

Adverse events attributable to peripheral venous infusion were phlebitis and thrombosis, both observed at 4% in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil intravenous.

In the active controlled study in hepatic transplant patients, 2 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil intravenous were administered in the immediate posttransplant period (up to 14 days). The safety profile of intravenous mycophenolate mofetil was similar to that of intravenous azathioprine.

Postmarketing Experience:

Congenital Disorders:

Congenital malformations including ear malformations have been reported in offspring of patients exposed to mycophenolate mofetil during pregnancy (see WARNINGS: Pregnancy).

Digestive:

Colitis (sometimes caused by cytomegalovirus), pancreatitis, isolated cases of intestinal villous atrophy.

Hematologic and Lymphatic:

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets in combination with other immunosuppressive agents.

Infections:

Serious life-threatening infections such as meningitis and infectious endocarditis have been reported occasionally and there is evidence of a higher frequency of certain types of serious infections such as tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infection. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), sometimes fatal, have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets. The reported cases generally had risk factors for PML, including treatment with immunosuppressant therapies and impairment of immune function. BK virus-associated nephropathy has been observed in patients receiving immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets. This infection is associated with serious outcomes, including deteriorating renal function and renal graft loss.

Respiratory:

Interstitial lung disorders, including fatal pulmonary fibrosis, have been reported rarely and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary symptoms ranging from dyspnea to respiratory failure in posttransplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets.

Renal Transplantation:

Adults:

A dose of 1 g administered orally twice a day (daily dose of 2 g) is recommended for use in renal transplant patients. Although a dose of 1.5 g administered twice daily (daily dose of 3 g) was used in clinical trials and was shown to be safe and effective, no efficacy advantage could be established for renal transplant patients. Patients receiving 2 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets demonstrated an overall better safety profile than did patients receiving 3 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets.

Pediatrics (3 months to 18 years of age):

The recommended dose of mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension is 600 mg/m2 administered twice daily (up to a maximum daily dose of 2 g/10 mL oral suspension). Patients with a body surface area of 1.25 m2 to 1.5 m2 may be dosed with mycophenolate mofetil capsules at a dose of 750 mg twice daily (1.5 g daily dose). Patients with a body surface area >1.5 m2 may be dosed with mycophenolate mofetil capsules or tablets at a dose of 1 g twice daily (2 g daily dose).

Cardiac Transplantation:

Adults:

A dose of 1.5 g bid oral (daily dose of 3 g) is recommended for use in adult cardiac transplant patients.

Hepatic Transplantation:

Adults:

A dose of 1.5 g bid oral (daily dose of 3 g) is recommended for use in adult hepatic transplant patients.

Capsules, Tablets, and Oral Suspension

The initial oral dose of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be given as soon as possible following renal, cardiac or hepatic transplantation. Food had no effect on MPA AUC, but has been shown to decrease MPA Cmax by 40%.  Therefore, it is recommended that mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets be administered on an empty stomach. However, in stable renal transplant patients, mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets may be administered with food if necessary.

Note:

If required, mycophenolate mofetil Oral Suspension can be administered via a nasogastric tube with a minimum size of 8 French (minimum 1.7 mm interior diameter).

Patients with Hepatic Impairment:

No   dose   adjustments   are   recommended   for   renal   patients   with   severe   hepatic parenchymal disease. However, it is not known whether dose adjustments are needed for hepatic   disease   with   other   etiologies   (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics).

No data are available for cardiac transplant patients with severe hepatic parenchymal disease.

Geriatrics:

The recommended oral dose of 1 g bid for renal transplant patients, 1.5 g bid for cardiac transplant patients, and 1.5 g bid administered orally in hepatic transplant patients is appropriate for elderly   patients (see PRECAUTIONS: Geriatric Use).

Dosage Adjustments:

In renal transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m2) outside the immediate posttransplant period, doses of mycophenolate mofetil capsules or mycophenolate mofetil tablets greater than 1 g administered twice a day should be avoided. These patients should also be carefully observed. No dose adjustments are needed in renal transplant patients experiencing delayed   graft   function   postoperatively   (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and PRECAUTIONS: General).

No data are available for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment. Mycophenolate mofetil capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets may be used for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

If neutropenia develops (ANC <1.3 x   103/µL), dosing with mycophenolate mofetil   capsules and mycophenolate mofetil tablets should be interrupted or the dose reduced, appropriate diagnostic tests performed, and the patient managed appropriately (see WARNINGS: Neutropenia, ADVERSE REACTIONS, and PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests).

Mycophenolate Mofetil Capsules

Mycophenolate Mofetil Capsules, 250 mg are white granular powder filled in size ‘1’ hard gelatin capsules with opaque blue colored cap and opaque white colored body printed with '130' in black ink and are supplied as follows:

NDC 65841-680-01 in bottle of 100 capsules

NDC 65841-680-19 in bottle of 120 capsules

NDC 65841-680-05 in bottle of 500 capsules

NDC 65841-680-10 in bottle of 1000 capsules

Mycophenolate Mofetil Tablets

Mycophenolate Mofetil Tablets, 500 mg are white to off-white, capsule-shaped, biconvex film-coated tablets imprinted with "ZA49" on one side and the other side plain and are supplied as follows:  

NDC-65841-681-01 in bottle of 100 tablets

NDC 65841-681-05 in bottle of 500 tablets

NDC 65841-681-10 in bottle of 1000 tablets