Mycophenolic acid

Mycophenolic acid is a potent immunosuppressant agent that inhibits de novo purine biosynthesis. It was derived from Penicillium stoloniferum, and has also shown antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.. Mycophenolic acid is used in immunosuppressive regimens as part of a triple therapy that includes a calcineurin inhibitor (ciclosporin or tacrolimus) and prednisolone. This regimen can be used in place of the older anti-proliferative azathioprine due to its stronger immunosuppressive potency. However, mycophenolic acid treatment is more expensive and requires therapeutic drug monitoring to optimize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Mycophenolic acid is available as enteric-coated tablets of delayed-release, in an effort to improve upper gastrointestinal adverse events by delaying mycophenolic acid release until it reaches the small intestine. Mycophenolate mofetil, a prodrug of mycophenolic acid, is also prescribed to transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection.