FDA MedWatch - FDA Alert and Healthcare Professional Information
 Sheet issued for Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) and Mycophenolic Acid

FDA is aware of reports of infants born with serious congenital anomalies, including microtia and cleft lip and palate, following exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) during pregnancy. MMF, the active drug substance in CellCept, is an ester of the active metabolite mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active drug substance in Myfortic. In most cases, the mothers were taking MMF following an organ transplant to prevent organ rejection. However, some mothers taking MMF were being treated for immune-mediated conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and erythema multiforme. Treatment began before their pregnancies and continued into the first trimester or until the pregnancy was detected. MMF and MPA increase the risk of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester and can cause congenital malformations in the offspring of women who are treated during pregnancy.

FDA is continuing to work with the manufacturers of these drug products to develop and implement means to mitigate the risks of fetal exposure. See the FDA Healthcare Professional Information Sheet containing considerations and recommendations for clinicians prior to prescribing MMF or MPA to women of childbearing potential.

Read the entire 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the FDA Alert and Healthcare Professional Information Sheet regarding this issue at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#MMF