4.1. Therapeutic indications

Mycophenolate mofetil is indicated in combination with ciclosporin and corticosteroids for the prophylaxis of acute transplant rejection in patients receiving allogeneic renal, cardiac or hepatic transplants.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Treatment with mycophenolate mofetil should be initiated and maintained by appropriately qualified transplant specialists

Posology

Use in renal transplant

Adults

Mycophenolate mofetil should be initiated within 72 hours following transplantation. The recommended dose in renal transplant patients is 1 g administered twice daily (2 g daily dose).

Paediatric population aged 2 to 18 years

The recommended dose of mycophenolate mofetil is 600 mg/m2 administered orally twice daily (up to a maximum of 2 g daily). This medicine should only be prescribed to patients with a body surface area greater than 1.5 m2, at a dose of 1 g twice daily (2 g daily dose). As some adverse reactions occur with greater frequency in this age group (see section 4.8) compared with adults, temporary dose reduction or interruption may be required; these will need to take into account relevant clinical factors including severity of reaction.

Paediatric population < 2 years

There are limited safety and efficacy data in children below the age of 2 years. These are insufficient to make dosage recommendations and therefore use in this age group is not recommended.

Use in cardiac transplant

Adults

Mycophenolate mofetil should be initiated within 5 days following transplantation. The recommended dose in cardiac transplant patients is 1.5 g administered twice daily (3 g daily dose).

Paediatric population

No data are available for paediatric cardiac transplant patients.

Use in hepatic transplant

Adults

IV mycophenolate mofetil should be administered for the first 4 days following hepatic transplant, with oral mycophenolate mofetil initiated as soon after this as it can be tolerated. The recommended oral dose in hepatic transplant patients is 1.5 g administered twice daily (3 g daily dose).

Paediatric population

No data are available for paediatric hepatic transplant patients.

Use in special populations

Elderly

The recommended dose of 1 g administered twice a day for renal transplant patients and 1.5 g twice a day for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients is appropriate for the elderly.

Renal impairment

In renal transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate < 25 ml/min/1.73 m2), outside the immediate post-transplant period, doses greater than 1 g administered twice a day should be avoided. These patients should also be carefully observed. No dose adjustments are needed in patients experiencing delayed renal graft function post-operatively (see section 5.2). No data are available for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment.

Severe hepatic impairment

No dose adjustments are needed for renal transplant patients with severe hepatic parenchymal disease. No data are available for cardiac transplant patients with severe hepatic parenchymal disease.

Treatment during rejection episodes

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil. Renal transplant rejection does not lead to changes in MPA pharmacokinetics; dosage reduction or interruption of mycophenolate mofetil is not required. There is no basis for mycophenolate mofetil dose adjustment following cardiac transplant rejection. No pharmacokinetic data are available during hepatic transplant rejection.

Paediatric population

No data are available for treatment of first or refractory rejection in paediatric transplant patients.

Method of administration

For oral use.

Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product.

Because mycophenolate mofetil has demonstrated teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits, mycophenolate mofetil tablets should not be crushed.

4.3. Contraindications

• Mycophenolate mofetil should not be given to patients with hypersensitivity to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Hypersensitivity reactions to mycophenolate mofetil have been observed (see section 4.8).

• Mycophenolate mofetil should not be given to women of childbearing potential who are not using highly effective contraception (see section 4.6).

• Mycophenolate mofetil treatment should not be initiated in women of child bearing potential without providing a pregnancy test result to rule out unintended use in pregnancy (see section 4.6).

• Mycophenolate mofetil should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no suitable alternative treatment to prevent transplant rejection (see section 4.6).

• Mycophenolate mofetil should not be given to women who are breastfeeding (see section 4.6).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Neoplasms

Patients receiving immunosuppressive regimens involving combinations of medicinal products, including mycophenolate mofetil, are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see section 4.8). The risk appears to be related to the intensity and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent.

As general advice to minimise the 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.

Infections

Patients treated with immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil, are at increased risk for opportunistic infections (bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoal), fatal infections and sepsis (see section 4.8). Such infections include latent viral reactivation, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C reactivation and infections caused by polyomaviruses (BK virus-associated nephropathy, JC virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy PML). Cases of hepatitis due to reactivation of hepatitis B or hepatitis C have been reported in carrier patients treated with immunosuppressants. These infections are often related to a high total immunosuppressive burden and may lead to serious or fatal conditions that physicians should consider in the differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients with deteriorating renal function or neurological symptoms. Mycophenolic acid has a cytostatic effect on B- and T-lymphocytes, therefore an increased severity of COVID-19 may occur, and appropriate clinical action should be considered.

There have been reports of hypogammaglobulinaemia in association with recurrent infections in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants. In some of these cases switching mycophenolate mofetil to an alternative immunosuppressant resulted in serum IgG levels returning to normal. Patients on mycophenolate mofetil who develop recurrent infections should have their serum immunoglobulins measured. In cases of sustained, clinically relevant hypogammaglobulinaemia, appropriate clinical action should be considered taking into account the potent cytostatic effects that mycophenolic acid has on T- and B-lymphocytes.

There have been published reports of bronchiectasis in adults and children who received mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants. In some of these cases switching mycophenolate mofetil to another immunosuppressant resulted in improvement in respiratory symptoms. The risk of bronchiectasis may be linked to hypogammaglobulinaemia or to a direct effect on the lung. There have also been isolated reports of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis, some of which were fatal (see section 4.8). It is recommended that patients who develop persistent pulmonary symptoms, such as cough and dyspnoea, are investigated

Blood and immune system

Patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil should be monitored for neutropenia, which may be related to mycophenolate mofetil itself, concomitant medications, viral infections, or some combination of these causes. Patients taking mycophenolate mofetil should have complete blood counts weekly during the first month, twice monthly for the second and third months of treatment, then monthly through the first year. If neutropenia develops (absolute neutrophil count < 1.3 x 103/µl), it may be appropriate to interrupt or discontinue mycophenolate mofetil.

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants. The mechanism for mycophenolate mofetil induced PRCA is unknown. PRCA may resolve with dose reduction or cessation of mycophenolate mofetil therapy. Changes to mycophenolate mofetil therapy should only be undertaken under appropriate supervision in transplant recipients in order to minimise the risk of graft rejection (see section 4.8).

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

Patients should be advised that, during treatment with mycophenolate mofetil, vaccinations may be less effective, and the use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided (see section 4.5). Influenza vaccination may be of value. Prescribers should refer to national guidelines for influenza vaccination.

Gastro-intestinal

Mycophenolate mofetil has been associated with an increased incidence of digestive system adverse events, including infrequent cases of gastrointestinal tract ulceration, haemorrhage and perforation. Mycophenolate mofetil should be administered with caution in patients with active serious digestive system disease.

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

Interactions

Caution should be exercised when switching combination therapy from regimens containing immunosuppressants, which interfere with MPA enterohepatic recirculation e.g. ciclosporin to others devoid of this effect e.g. tacrolimus, sirolimus, belatacept, or vice versa, as this might result in changes of MPA exposure. Drugs which interfere with MPA's enterohepatic cycle (e.g. cholestyramine, antibiotics) should be used with caution due to their potential to reduce the plasma level and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (see also section 4.5). Therapeutic drug monitoring of MPA may be appropriate when switching combination therapy (e.g. from ciclosporin to tacrolimus or vice versa) or to ensure adequate immunosuppression in patients with high immunological risk (e.g. risk of rejection, treatment with antibiotics, addition or removal of an interacting medication).

It is recommended that mycophenolate mofetil should not be administered concomitantly with azathioprine because such concomitant administration has not been studied.

The risk/benefit ratio of mycophenolate mofetil in combination with sirolimus has not been established (see also section 4.5).

Special populations

Elderly patients may be at an increased risk of adverse events such as certain infections (including cytomegalovirus tissue invasive disease) and possibly gastrointestinal haemorrhage and pulmonary oedema, compared with younger individuals (see section 4.8).

Teratogenic effects

Mycophenolate is a powerful human teratogen. Spontaneous abortion (rate of 45% to 49%) and congenital malformations (estimated rate of 23% to 27%) have been reported following MMF exposure during pregnancy. Therefore mycophenolate mofetil is contraindicated in pregnancy unless there are no suitable alternative treatments to prevent transplant rejection. Female patients of childbearing potential should be made aware of the risks and follow the recommendations provided in section 4.6. (e.g. contraceptive methods, pregnancy testing) prior to, during, and after therapy with mycophenolate mofetil. Physicians should ensure that women taking mycophenolate understand the risk of harm to the baby, the need for effective contraception, and the need to immediately consult their physician if there is a possibility of pregnancy.

Contraception (see section 4.6)

Because of robust clinical evidence showing a high risk of abortion and congenital malformations when mycophenolate mofetil is used in pregnancy every effort to avoid pregnancy during treatment should be taken. Therefore women with childbearing potential must use at least one form of reliable contraception (see section 4.3) before starting mycophenolate mofetil therapy, during therapy, and for six weeks after stopping the therapy; unless abstinence is the chosen method of contraception. Two complementary forms of contraception simultaneously are preferred to minimise the potential for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy.

For contraception advice for men see section 4.6.

Educational materials

In order to assist patients in avoiding foetal exposure to mycophenolate and to provide additional important safety information, the Marketing Authorisation Holder will provide educational materials to healthcare professionals. The educational materials will reinforce the warnings about the teratogenicity of mycophenolate, provide advice on contraception before therapy is started and guidance on the need for pregnancy testing. Full patient information about the teratogenic risk and the pregnancy prevention measures should be given by the physician to women of childbearing potential and, as appropriate, to male patients.

Additional precautions

Patients should not donate blood during therapy or for at least 6 weeks following discontinuation of mycophenolate. Men should not donate semen during therapy or for 90 days following discontinuation of mycophenolate.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Aciclovir

Higher aciclovir plasma concentrations were observed when mycophenolate mofetil was administered with aciclovir in comparison to the administration of aciclovir alone. The changes in MPAG (the phenolic glucuronide of MPA) pharmacokinetics (MPAG increased by 8%) were minimal and are not considered clinically significant. Because MPAG plasma concentrations are increased in the presence of renal impairment, as are aciclovir concentrations, the potential exists for mycophenolate mofetil and aciclovir, or its prodrugs, e.g. valaciclovir, to compete for tubular secretion and further increases in concentrations of both substances may occur.

Antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Decreased MPA exposure has been observed when antacids, such as magnesium and aluminium hydroxides, and PPIs, including lansoprazole and pantoprazole, were administered with mycophenolate mofetil. When comparing rates of transplant rejection or rates of graft loss between mycophenoalte mofetil patients taking PPIs vs. mycophenolate mofetil patients not taking PPIs, no significant differences were seen. These data support extrapolation of this finding to all antacids because the reduction in exposure when mycophenolate mofetil was co- administered with magnesium and aluminium hydroxides is considerably less than when mycophenolate mofetil was co-administered with PPIs.

Medicinal products that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation (e.g. cholestyramine, ciclosporin A, antibiotics)

Caution should be used with medicinal products that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation because of their potential to reduce the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil.

Cholestyramine

Following single dose administration of 1.5 g of mycophenolate mofetil to normal healthy subjects pre-treated with 4 g TID of cholestyramine for 4 days, there was a 40% reduction in the AUC of MPA (see section 4.4 and section 5.2). Caution should be used during concomitant administration because of the potential to reduce efficacy of mycophenoalte mofetil.

Ciclosporin A

Ciclosporin A (CsA) pharmacokinetics are unaffected by mycophenolate mofetil.

In contrast, if concomitant CsA treatment is stopped, an increase in MPA AUC of around 30% should be expected. CsA interferes with MPA enterohepatic recycling, resulting in reduced MPA exposures by 30-50% in renal transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil and CsA compared with patients receiving sirolimus or belatacept and similar doses of mycophenolate mofetil (see also section 4.4). Conversely, changes of MPA exposure should be expected when switching patients from CsA to one of the immunosuppressants which does not interfere with MPA´s enterohepatic cycle.

Antibiotics eliminating β-glucuronidase-producing bacteria in the intestine (e.g. aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone, and penicillin classes of antibiotics) may interfere with MPAG/MPA enterohepatic recirculation, thus leading to reduced systemic MPA exposure. Information concerning the following antibiotics is available:

Ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid

Reductions in pre-dose (trough) MPA concentrations of about 50% have been reported in renal transplant recipients in the days immediately following commencement of oral ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. This effect tended to diminish with continued antibiotic use and to cease within a few days of antibiotic discontinuation. The change in predose level may not accurately represent changes in overall MPA exposure. Therefore, a change in the dose of mycophenolate mofetil should not normally be necessary in the absence of clinical evidence of graft dysfunction. However, close clinical monitoring should be performed during the combination and shortly after antibiotic treatment.

Norfloxacin and metronidazole

In healthy volunteers, no significant interaction was observed when mycophenolate mofetil was concomitantly administered with norfloxacin or metronidazole separately. However, norfloxacin and metronidazole combined reduced the MPA exposure by approximately 30% following a single dose of mycophenolate mofetil.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

No effect on the bioavailability of MPA was observed.

Medicinal products that affect glucuronidation (e.g. isavuconazole, telmisartan) Concomitant administration of drugs affecting glucuronidation of MPA may change MPA exposure. Caution is therefore recommended when administering these drugs concomitantly with mycophenolate mofetil.

Isavuconazole

An increase of MPA AUC0-∞ by 35% was observed with concomitant administration of isavuconazole.

Telmisartan

Concomitant administration of telmisartan and mycophenolate mofetil resulted in an approximately 30% decrease of MPA concentrations. Telmisartan changes MPA's elimination by enhancing PPAR gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) expression, which in turn results in an enhanced uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase isoform 1A9 (UGT1A9) expression and activity. When comparing rates of transplant rejection, rates of graft loss or adverse event profiles between mycophenolate mofetil patients with and without concomitant telmisartan medication, no clinical consequences of the pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction were seen.

Ganciclovir

Based on the results of a single dose administration study of recommended doses of oral mycophenolate and IV ganciclovir and the known effects of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil (see section 4.2) and ganciclovir, it is anticipated that co-administration of these agents (which compete for mechanisms of renal tubular secretion) will result in increases in MPAG and ganciclovir concentration. No substantial alteration of MPA pharmacokinetics is anticipated and mycophenolate mofetil dose adjustment is not required. In patients with renal impairment in whom mycophenolate mofetil and ganciclovir or its prodrugs, e.g. valganciclovir, are co-administered, the dose recommendations for ganciclovir should be observed and patients should be monitored carefully.

Oral contraceptives

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral contraceptives were unaffected by co-administration of mycophenoalte mofetil (see also section 5.2).

Rifampicin

In patients not also taking ciclosporin, concomitant administration of mycophenolate mofetil and rifampicin resulted in a decrease in MPA exposure (AUC0-12h) of 18% to 70%. It is recommended to monitor MPA exposure levels and to adjust mycophenolate mofetil doses accordingly to maintain clinical efficacy when rifampicin is administered concomitantly.

Sevelamer

Decrease in MPA Cmax and AUC0-12h by 30% and 25%, respectively, were observed when mycophenolate mofetil was concomitantly administered with sevelamer without any clinical consequences (i.e. graft rejection). It is recommended, however, to administer mycophenolate mofetil at least one hour before or three hours after sevelamer intake to minimise the impact on the absorption of MPA. There are no data on mycophenolate mofetil with phosphate binders other than sevelamer.

Tacrolimus

In hepatic transplant patients initiated on mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus, the AUC and Cmax of MPA, the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil, were not significantly affected by co-administration with tacrolimus. In contrast, there was an increase of approximately 20% in tacrolimus AUC when multiple doses of mycophenolate mofetil (1.5 g BID) were administered to hepatic transplant patients taking tacrolimus. However, in renal transplant patients, tacrolimus concentration did not appear to be altered by mycophenolate mofetil (see also section 4.4).

Live vaccines

Live vaccines should not be given to patients with an impaired immune response. The antibody response to other vaccines may be diminished (see also 4.4).

Paediatric population

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Potential interaction

Co-administration of probenecid with mycophenolate mofetil in monkeys raises plasma AUC of MPAG by 3-fold. Thus, other substances known to undergo renal tubular secretion may compete with MPAG, and thereby raise plasma concentrations of MPAG or the other substance undergoing tubular secretion.

4.6. Pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential

Pregnancy whilst taking mycophenolate must be avoided. Therefore, women of childbearing potential must use at least one form of reliable contraception (see section 4.3) before starting mycophenolate mofetil therapy, during therapy, and for six weeks after stopping the therapy, unless abstinence is the chosen method of contraception. Two complementary forms of contraception simultaneously are preferred.

Pregnancy

Mycophenolate mofetil is contraindicated during pregnancy unless there is no suitable alternative treatment to prevent transplant rejection. Treatment should not be initiated without providing a negative pregnancy test result to rule out unintended use in pregnancy (see section 4.3).

Female patients of reproductive potential must be made aware of the increased risk of pregnancy loss and congenital malformations at the beginning of the treatment and must be counselled regarding pregnancy prevention, and planning.

Before starting mycophenolate mofetil treatment, women of child bearing potential should have two negative serum or urine pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25mIU/ml in order to exclude unintended exposure of the embryo to mycophenolate. It is recommended that the second test should be performed 8–10 days after the first test. For transplants from deceased donors, if it is not possible to perform two tests 8-10 days apart before treatment starts (because of the timing of transplant organ availability), a pregnancy test must be performed immediately before starting treatment and a further test performed 8-10 days later. Pregnancy tests should be repeated as clinically required (e.g. after any gap in contraception is reported). Results of all pregnancy tests should be discussed with the patient. Patients should be instructed to consult their physician immediately should pregnancy occur.

Mycophenolate is a powerful human teratogen, with an increased risk of spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations in case of exposure during pregnancy;

• Spontaneous abortions have been reported in 45 to 49% of pregnant women exposed to mycophenolate mofetil, compared to a reported rate of between 12 and 33% in solid organ transplant patients treated with immunosuppressants other than mycophenolate mofetil.

• Based on literature reports, malformations occurred in 23 to 27% of live births in women exposed to mycophenolate mofetil during pregnancy (compared to 2 to 3 % of live births in the overall population and approximately 4 to 5% of live births in solid organ transplant recipients treated with immunosuppressants other than mycophenolate mofetil).

Congenital malformations, including reports of multiple malformations, have been observed post-marketing in children of patients exposed to mycophenolate mofetil during pregnancy in combination with other immunosuppressants. The following malformations were most frequently reported:

• Abnormalities of the ear (e.g. abnormally formed or absent external ear), external auditory canal atresia (middle ear);

• Facial malformations such as cleft lip, cleft palate, micrognathia and hypertelorism of the orbits;

• Abnormalities of the eye (e.g. coloboma);

• Congenital heart disease such as atrial and ventricular septal defects;

• Malformations of the fingers (e.g. polydactyly, syndactyly);

• Tracheo-oesophageal malformations (e.g. oesophageal atresia);

• Nervous system malformations such as spina bifida;

• Renal abnormalities.

In addition there have been isolated reports of the following malformations:

• Microphthalmia;

• congenital choroid plexus cyst;

• septum pellucidum agenesis;

• olfactory nerve agenesis.

Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).

Breast-feeding

Limited data show that mycophenolic acid is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to mycophenolic acid in breast-fed infants, Mycophenolate mofetil is contraindicated in nursing mothers (see section 4.3).

Men

Limited clinical evidence does not indicate an increased risk of malformations or miscarriage following paternal exposure to mycophenolate mofetil.

MPA is a powerful teratogen. It is not known if MPA is present in semen. Calculations based on animal data show that the maximum amount of MPA that could potentially be transferred to woman is so low that it would be unlikely to have an effect. Mycophenolate has been shown to be genotoxic in animal studies at concentrations exceeding the human therapeutic exposures by small margins, such that the risk of genotoxic effects on sperm cells cannot completely be excluded.

Therefore, the following precautionary measures are recommended: sexually active male patients or their female partners are recommended to use reliable contraception during treatment of the male patient and for at least 90 days after cessation of mycophenolate mofetil. Male patients of reproductive potential should be made aware of and discuss with a qualified healthcare professional the potential risks of fathering a child.

Fertility

Mycophenolate mofetil had no effect on fertility of male rats at oral doses up to 20 mg/kg/day. The systemic exposure at this dose represents 2 – 3 times the clinical exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 2 g/day in renal transplant patients and 1.3 – 2 times the clinical exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 3 g/day in cardiac transplant patients. In a female fertility and reproduction study conducted in rats, oral doses of 4.5 mg/kg/day caused malformations (including anophthalmia, agnathia, and hydrocephaly) in the first generation offspring in the absence of maternal toxicity. The systemic exposure at this dose was approximately 0.5 times the clinical exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 2 g/day for renal transplant patients and approximately 0.3 times the clinical exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 3 g/day for cardiac transplant patients. No effects on fertility or reproductive parameters were evident in the dams or in the subsequent generation.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Mycophenolate mofetil has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Mycophenolate mofetil may cause somnolence, confusion, dizziness, tremor or hypotension, and therefore patients are advised to use caution when driving or using machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of safety profile

An estimated total of 1557 patients received mycophenolate mofetil during five clinical trials in the prevention of acute organ rejection. Of these, 991 were included in the three renal studies, 277 were included in one hepatic study, and 289 were included in one cardiac study. Azathioprine was the comparator used in the hepatic and cardiac studies and in two of the renal studies whilst the other renal study was placebo-controlled. Patients in all study arms also received cyclosporine and corticosteroids. The types of adverse reactions reported during post-marketing with mycophenolate mofetil are similar to those seen in the controlled renal, cardiac and hepatic transplant studies.

Diarrhoea (up to 52.6%), leukopenia (up to 45.8%), bacterial infections (up to 39.9%) and vomiting (up to 39.1%) were among the most common and/or serious adverse drug reactions associated with the administration of mycophenolate mofetil in combination with ciclosporin and corticosteroids. There is evidence of a higher frequency of certain types of infections (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The adverse drug reactions from clinical trials and post-marketing experience are listed in Table 1, by MedDRA system organ class (SOC) along with their frequencies. The corresponding frequency category for each adverse reaction is based on the following convention: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Due to the large differences observed in the frequency of certain ADRs across the different transplant indications, the frequency is presented separately for renal, hepatic and cardiac transplant patients.

Table 1 Adverse reactions

Adverse drug reaction

(MedDRA)

System Organ Class

Renal transplant n = 991

Hepatic transplant n = 277

Cardiac transplant n = 289

Frequency

Frequency

Frequency

Infections and infestations

Bacterial infections

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Fungal infections

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Protozoal infections

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Viral infections

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps)

Benign neoplasm of skin

Common

Common

Common

Lymphoma

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Lymphoproliferative disorder

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Neoplasm

Common

Common

Common

Skin Cancer

Common

Uncommon

Common

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Anemia

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Aplasia pure red cell

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Bone marrow failure

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Ecchymosis

Common

Common

Very Common

Leukocytosis

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Leukopenia

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Pancytopenia

Common

Common

Uncommon

Pseudolymphoma

Uncommon

Uncommon

Common

Thrombocytopenia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Acidosis

Common

Common

Very Common

Hypercholesterolemia

Very Common

Common

Very Common

Hyperglycemia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hyperkalemia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hyperlipidemia

Common

Common

Very Common

Hypocalcemia

Common

Very Common

Common

Hypokalemia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hypomagnesemia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hypophosphatemia

Very Common

Very Common

Common

Hyperuricaemia

Common

Common

Very Common

Gout

Common

Common

Very Common

Weight decreased

Common

Common

Common

Psychiatric disorders

Confusional state

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Depression

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Insomnia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Agitation

Uncommon

Common

Very Common

Anxiety

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Thinking abnormal

Uncommon

Common

Common

Nervous system disorders

Dizziness

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Headache

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hypertonia

Common

Common

Very Common

Paresthesia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Somnolence

Common

Common

Very Common

Tremor

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Convulsion

Common

Common

Common

Dysgeusia

Uncommon

Uncommon

Common

Cardiac disorders

Tachycardia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hypotension

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Lymphocele

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Venous thrombosis

Common

Common

Common

Vasodilatation

Common

Common

Very Common

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Bronchiectasis

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Cough

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Dyspnea

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Interstitial lung disease

Uncommon

Very Rare

Very Rare

Pleural effusion

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Pulmonary fibrosis

Very Rare

Uncommon

Uncommon

Gastrointestinal disorders

Abdominal distension

Common

Very Common

Common

Abdominal pain

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Colitis

Common

Common

Common

Constipation

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Decreased appetite

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Diarrhea

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Dyspepsia

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Esophagitis

Common

Common

Common

Eructation

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Flatulence

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Gastritis

Common

Common

Common

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Common

Common

Common

Gastrointestinal ulcer

Common

Common

Common

Gingival hyperplasia

Common

Common

Common

Ileus

Common

Common

Common

Mouth ulceration

Common

Common

Common

Nausea

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Pancreatitis

Uncommon

Common

Uncommon

Stomatitis

Common

Common

Common

Vomiting

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon

Common

Common

Hypogammaglobulinaemia

Uncommon

Very Rare

Very Rare

Anaphylactic reactions

Not Known

Not Known

Not Known

Hepatobiliary disorders

Blood alkaline phosphatase increased

Common

Common

Common

Blood lactate dehydrogenase increased

Common

Uncommon

Very Common

Hepatic enzyme increased

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hepatitis

Common

Very Common

Uncommon

Hyperbilirubinaemia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Jaundice

Uncommon

Common

Common

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Acne

Common

Common

Very Common

Alopecia

Common

Common

Common

Rash

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Skin hypertrophy

Common

Common

Very Common

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Common

Common

Very Common

Muscular weakness

Common

Common

Very Common

Renal and urinary disorders

Blood creatinine increased

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Blood urea increased

Uncommon

Very Common

Very Common

Hematuria

Very Common

Common

Common

Renal impairment

Common

Very Common

Very Common

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Chills

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Edema

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

Hernia

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Malaise

Common

Common

Common

Pain

Common

Very Common

Very Common

Pyrexia

Very Common

Very Common

Very Common

De novo purine synthesis inhibitors-associated acute inflammatory syndrome

Uncommon

Uncommon

Uncommon

Note: 991 (2 g /3 g mycophenolate mofetil daily), 289 (3 g mycophenolate mofetil daily) and 277 (2 g IV / 3 g oral mycophenolate mofetil daily) patients were treated in Phase III studies for the prevention of rejection in renal, cardiac and hepatic transplantation, respectively.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Malignancies

Patients receiving immunosuppressive regimens involving combinations of medicinal products, including mycophenolate mofetil, are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see section 4.4). 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. Hepatic transplant patients were followed for at least 1 year, but less than 3 years.

Infections

All patients treated with immunosuppressants are at increased risk of bacterial, viral and fungal infections (some of which may lead to a fatal outcome), including those caused by opportunistic agents and latent viral reactivation. The risk increases with total immunosuppressive load (see section 4.4). The most serious infections were sepsis, peritonitis, meningitis, endocarditis, tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infection. The most common opportunistic infections in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (2 g or 3 g daily) with other immunosuppressants in controlled clinical trials in renal, cardiac and hepatic transplant patients followed for at least 1 year were candida mucocutaneous, CMV viraemia/syndrome and Herpes simplex. The proportion of patients with CMV viraemia/syndrome was 13.5%. Cases of BK virus associated nephropathy, as well as cases of JC virus associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), have been reported in patients treated with immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil.

Blood and lymphatic disorders

Cytopenias, including leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia, are known risks associated with mycophenolate mofetil and may lead or contribute to the occurrence of infections and hemorrhages (see section 4.4). Agranulocytosis and neutropenia have been reported; therefore, regular monitoring of patients taking Mycophenolate mofetil is advised (see section 4.4). There have been reports of aplastic anaemia and bone marrow failure in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil, some of which have been fatal.

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (see section 4.4).

Isolated cases of abnormal neutrophil morphology, including the acquired Pelger-Huet anomaly, have been observed in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil. These changes are not associated with impaired neutrophil function. These changes may suggest a 'left shift' in the maturity of neutrophils in haematological investigations, which may be mistakenly interpreted as a sign of infection in immunosuppressed patients such as those that receive mycophenolate mofetil.

Gastrointestinal disorders

The most serious gastrointestinal disorders were ulceration and hemorrhage which are known risks associated with mycophenolate mofetil. Mouth, esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and intestinal ulcers often complicated by hemorrhage, as well as hematemesis, melena, and hemorrhagic forms of gastritis and colitis were commonly reported during the pivotal clinical trials. The most common gastrointestinal disorders, however, were diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Endoscopic investigation of patients with mycophenolate-related diarrhoea have revealed isolated cases of intestinal villous atrophy (see section 4.4).

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions, including angioneurotic oedema and anaphylactic reaction have been reported.

Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions

Cases of spontaneous abortion have been reported in patients exposed to mycophenolate mofetil, mainly in the first trimester, see section 4.6.

Congenital disorders

Congenital malformations have been observed post-marketing in children of patients exposed to mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants, see section 4.6.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

There have been isolated reports of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants, some of which have been fatal. There have also been reports of bronchiectasis in children and adults.

Immune system disorders

Hypogammaglobulinaemia has been reported in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil in combination with other immunosuppressants.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Oedema, including peripheral, face and scrotal edema, was reported very commonly during the pivotal trials.

Musculoskeletal pain such as myalgia, and neck and back pain were also very commonly reported.

De novo purine synthesis inhibitors-associated acute inflammatory syndrome has been described from post-marketing experience as a paradoxical proinflammatory reaction associated with mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid, characterised by fever, arthralgia, arthritis, muscle pain and elevated inflammatory markers. Literature case reports showed rapid improvement following discontinuation of the medicinal product.

Special populations

Paediatric population

The type and frequency of adverse reactions in a clinical study, which recruited 92 paediatric patients aged 2 to 18 years who were given 600 mg/m2 mycophenolate mofetil orally twice daily, were generally similar to those observed in adult patients given 1 g mycophenolate mofetil twice daily. However, the following treatment-related adverse events were more frequent in the paediatric population, particularly in children under 6 years of age, when compared to adults: diarrhoea, sepsis, leukopenia, anaemia and infection.

Elderly

Elderly patients (≥ 65 years) may generally be at increased risk of adverse reactions due to immunosuppression. Elderly patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil as part of a combination immunosuppressive regimen, may be at increased risk of certain infections (including cytomegalovirus tissue invasive disease) and possibly gastrointestinal haemorrhage and pulmonary oedema, compared to younger individuals.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Reports of overdoses with mycophenolate mofetil have been received from clinical trials and during post-marketing experience. In many of these cases, no adverse events were reported. In those overdose cases in which adverse events were reported, the events fall within the known safety profile of the medicinal product.

It is expected that an overdose of mycophenolate mofetil could possibly result in over suppression of the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections and bone marrow suppression (see section 4.4). If neutropenia develops, dosing with mycophenolate mofetil should be interrupted or the dose reduced (see section 4.4).

Haemodialysis would not be expected to remove clinically significant amounts of MPA or MPAG. Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, can remove MPA by decreasing the enterohepatic re-circulation of the drug (see section 5.2).