Olesja Rissling analyzes the potential interaction of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and pantoprazole.
MPA is used as an immunosuppressive drug to prevent acute organ rejections after organ
transplantation. Pantoprazole known to interact with the bioavailability of drugs is used to
prevent upper gastrointestinal disorders. The author performed a clinical pharmacokinetic study
in renal transplant patients to evaluate a potential interaction of MPA and pantoprazole. The
bioavailability and the maximum concentration of MPA were determined with or without
pantoprazole intake. An influence on the immunosuppressive effect was evaluated by measuring
the target enzyme activity. Overall no significant change in the bioavailability or the
maximum concentration was found. Similar results were obtained for the target enzyme activity
after pantoprazole intake with MPA. The results suggest that the interaction of pantoprazole
with MPA does not compromise the immunosuppressive effect to a clinically meaningful extent.
