Mycophenolate
Mycophenolate
Mycophenolate (pronunciation: mye-koe-FEN-oh-late) is a type of medication used primarily to prevent rejection in organ transplantation. It is also used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Etymology
The term "Mycophenolate" is derived from the fungus Penicillium stoloniferum from which it was first isolated. The term is composed of "myco-" meaning fungus, and "phenolate" referring to the phenol ring structure present in the compound.
Usage
Mycophenolate is used in combination with other medications to keep the body from rejecting transplanted organs such as the heart, kidney, or liver. It works by suppressing the body's immune system, which could otherwise reject the transplanted organ. It is also used in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases such as lupus and vasculitis.
Related Terms
- Immunosuppressant: A type of drug that lowers the body's ability to reject a transplanted organ.
- Autoimmune disease: A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.
- Transplant rejection: A process in which a transplant recipient's immune system attacks the transplanted organ or tissue.
- Lupus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body.
- Vasculitis: An inflammation of the blood vessels.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Mycophenolate include stomach upset and diarrhea. More serious side effects can include infections, blood disorders, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mycophenolate
- Wikipedia's article - Mycophenolate
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