Myfenax

Myfenax is a medicine containing the active substance mycophenolate mofetil. It is available as capsules (250 mg) and tablets (500 mg).

Myfenax is a ‘generic medicine’. This means that Myfenax is similar to a ‘reference medicine’ already authorised in the European Union (EU) called CellCept.

Myfenax is used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney, heart or liver. It is used with ciclosporin and corticosteroids (other medicines used to prevent organ rejection).

The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

Myfenax treatment should be initiated and maintained by a qualified transplant specialist.

The way that Myfenax should be given and the dose depend on the type of organ transplant and the patient’s age and size.

For kidney transplants, the recommended dose in adults is 1.0 g twice a day starting within 72 hours after the transplant. In children aged between two and 18 years, the dose of Myfenax is calculated depending on height and weight.

For heart transplants, the recommended adult dose is 1.5 g twice a day, starting within five days following the transplant.

For liver transplants in adults, mycophenolate mofetil should be given as an infusion (drip into a vein) for the first four days after the transplant, before the patient is switched to 1.5 g Myfenax twice a day as soon as it can be tolerated.

The dose may need to be adjusted in patients with liver or kidney disease. For more information, see the summary of product characteristics (also part of the EPAR).

The active substance in Myfenax, mycophenolate mofetil, is an immunosuppressive medicine. In the body, it is converted into mycophenolic acid, which blocks an enzyme called ‘inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase’. This enzyme is important for the formation of DNA in cells, particularly in the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell which is involved in the rejection of organ transplants). By preventing the production of new DNA, Myfenax reduces the rate at which the lymphocytes multiply. This makes them less effective at recognising and attacking the transplanted organ, lowering the risk of the organ being rejected.

Because Myfenax is a generic medicine, studies in patients have been limited to tests to determine that it is bioequivalent to the reference medicine, CellCept. Two medicines are bioequivalent when they produce the same levels of the active substance in the body.

Because Myfenax is a generic medicine and is bioequivalent to the reference medicine, its benefits and risks are taken as being the same as the reference medicine’s.

The CHMP concluded that, in accordance with EU requirements, Myfenax has been shown to have comparable quality and to be bioequivalent to CellCept. Therefore, the CHMP’s view was that, as for CellCept, the benefit outweighs the identified risk. The Committee recommended that Myfenax be given marketing authorisation.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU for Myfenax on 21 February 2008.

For more information about treatment with Myfenax, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.