Cellcept (Mycophenolate Mofetil) – Part 1
Mycophenolate is an immunosuppressant drug that is sold under the brand names of Cellcept and Myfortic. It is approved for use by the FDA to suppress the immune system in patients who have received kidney, heart, or liver transplants. There are several diseases that is prescribed for that are considered “off-label.” These conditions include vasculitis, minimal change disease, linear IgA disease, and myasthenia gravis.
Mycophenolate is classified as an antimetabolite immunosuppression drug. There are two compounds commercially availabe that contain mycophenolate – mycophenolate mofetil and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium. Both of these compounds are hydrolysed (broken down) by the liver, wall of the gut, and blood cells to mycophenolic acid, which is the active compound.
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