Pharmacokinetic study of mycophenolic acid in Iranian kidney transplant patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic parameters of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in Iranian kidney transplant patients. Methods: Plasma MPA concentration of mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) 1 gram two times a day was measured in 21 Iranian kidney transplant recipients receiving treatment. Patients who entered the study had been transplanted for more than 3 months and their drug level was supposed to be at steady state. MMF concentration was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The plasma MPA concentration-time curve was characterized by an early sharp peak at about 1 hour postdose. The mean Area Under Curve (AUC), Cmax and Tmax were 47.0±18.3 μg.h/ml, 18.6±8.5 μg/ml and 1.0±0.5 hours respectively. Conclusion: The plasma MPA concentration-time curve pattern of Iranian patients was similar and consistent with previously reported profiles in other populations taking the same dose. Keywords: Mycophenolate mofetil, Mycophenolic acid, Pharmacokinetics, Area Under Curve, Kidney transplantation