Mycophenolic acid associated with increased risk of pure red cell aplasia

Novartis has issued a Dear Healthcare Professional letter regarding a risk of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in patients treated with mycophenolic acid (Myfortic).

Cases of PRCA have been reported in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. Mycophenolate mofetil is converted to mycophenolic acid after oral or intravenous (IV) administration. A warning regarding PRCA in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil was issued in August 2009.

Mycophenolic acid is approved for use in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic renal transplants