From the Guidelines
Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) and mycophenolate mofetil are both immunosuppressant medications with key differences in formulation and absorption, but the most recent and highest quality study suggests that the dose of mycophenolate mofetil is approximately 750–1000 mg twice daily, and for mycophenolic acid, approximately 540–720 mg twice daily 1. The main distinction between the two medications is in their formulation and how they're absorbed by the body. Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug that gets converted to mycophenolic acid in the body, while Myfortic is already in the active mycophenolic acid form. This means Myfortic is designed for more consistent absorption in the small intestine, potentially leading to more predictable drug levels. Some key points to consider when choosing between these medications include:
- Dosing: typically, 720 mg of Myfortic is equivalent to 1000 mg of mycophenolate mofetil, as suggested by earlier studies 1.
- Gastrointestinal side effects: Myfortic may cause less gastrointestinal side effects in some patients due to its delayed-release formulation.
- Efficacy: both medications are equally effective in preventing organ rejection when used at appropriate doses, as supported by various studies 1.
- Patient factors: the choice between the two often depends on individual patient factors, such as tolerance to side effects or specific absorption issues. It's essential for patients not to switch between these medications without consulting their doctor, as dosing adjustments may be necessary 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Mycophenolic acid delayed-release tablets and mycophenolate mofetil tablets and capsules should not be used interchangeably. The main difference between Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept) is that they are not interchangeable, as stated in the drug label [ 2 ].
- This means that Myfortic and Cellcept should not be substituted for one another.
- The reason for this is not explicitly stated in the provided text, but it implies that they have different formulations or properties that make them non-equivalent.
From the Research
Difference between Myfortic and Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept) are two immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent rejection in organ transplant patients 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The main difference between the two drugs is their formulation: Mycophenolate Mofetil is a prodrug that is rapidly converted to mycophenolic acid in the body, while Myfortic is an enteric-coated formulation of mycophenolic acid that delays the release of the drug until it reaches the small intestine 4, 6, 7.
- This delayed release is designed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects associated with Mycophenolate Mofetil, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 3, 6, 7.
Efficacy and Safety
- Studies have shown that Myfortic is as effective as Mycophenolate Mofetil in preventing renal graft rejection in transplant patients 4, 6, 7.
- The safety profile of Myfortic is similar to that of Mycophenolate Mofetil, with the exception of reduced gastrointestinal side effects in some patients 3, 6, 7.
- Patients who experience gastrointestinal intolerance to Mycophenolate Mofetil may benefit from switching to Myfortic, as it may reduce GI symptoms 3, 6.
Pharmacokinetics
- Myfortic has a delayed time to maximal mycophenolic acid concentration (Tmax) compared to Mycophenolate Mofetil, consistent with its enteric-coated formulation 4, 7.
- The area under the concentration curve (AUC) and maximal mycophenolic acid concentration (Cmax) of Myfortic are equivalent to those of Mycophenolate Mofetil 4, 7.