Evaluation of tolerability and ability to increase immunosuppression in renal transplant patients converted from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.

BACKGROUND: Dose reductions or discontinuations of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) result in higher incidences of acute rejection and graft loss. Converting renal transplant patients experiencing MMF-related gastrointestinal (GI) side effects to equimolar enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) may relieve GI symptoms. METHODS: In this prospective 12-month study, renal transplant patients maintained on suboptimal MMF doses (<1500 mg/d) due to GI intolerance were converted to equimolar EC-MPS followed by incremental EC-MPS dose increases (180 mg/d) every 7 weeks to an established maximum, if well tolerated. Changes in GI symptoms were assessed by physician judgment and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (mean age: 52.0 +/- 13.6 years) were converted from MMF (930.0 +/- 153.4 mg/d) to equimolar EC-MPS (669.6 +/- 110.5 mg/d) at day 0. Twenty-three of 25 patients tolerated equimolar dose conversion and one or more EC-MPS dose increments at week 28. Compared to baseline, patients received significantly more EC-MPS at week 28 and week 49 (mean dose: 1033.0 +/- 164.8 mg/d, P < .0001 and 1001.7 +/- 209.0 mg/d, P < .0001, respectively). Two patients dropped out by week 7 for reasons unrelated to EC-MPS. The mean serum creatinine remained stable and no clinical acute rejection episodes occurred over 12 months. Mean GSRS total score remained stable through month 12 when compared to day 0 despite increases in EC-MPS dose. CONCLUSION: In renal transplant patients receiving suboptimal MMF doses due to GI symptoms, conversion to EC-MPS enabled equimolar prescription and subsequent dose increase without increased GI intolerance.