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Myfortic vs Cellcept or Mycophenolate? Share your experience

Posted by Alta Net @altabiznet, Apr 18 10:55am

Has anyone been switched from mycophenolate to Myfortic? Is it really better tolerated with the same efficacy?

Myfortic and CellCept are both immunosuppressants used to prevent organ rejection, with Myfortic designed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects through delayed-release formulation.
Key Differences
Formulation and Absorption:
CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is a prodrug that is rapidly converted in the body to the active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA).

Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) is an enteric-coated formulation of MPA, designed to release the drug in the small intestine, which can lead to more consistent absorption and reduced gastrointestinal side effects.

Gastrointestinal Tolerability:
Myfortic is associated with less diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal discomfort compared to CellCept due to its delayed-release coating.

Patients who experience GI intolerance with CellCept may benefit from switching to Myfortic.
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pm56 | @pm56 | May 5 8:23am
In reply to @leslyb "My Dr is not sure what disease I have, He has said "Maybe" it's Organizing pneumonia..." + (show)
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My Dr is not sure what disease I have, He has said "Maybe" it's Organizing pneumonia with a connetctive tissue disease. He has been pushng me to go on the Cellcept in order to reduce the amount of prednisone I am taking. My symptons since Aug 2025 are: started with a wheeze when I recline, it proceeded to get worse and had pain in my left lung with shortness of breathe , had a strain of pneumonia and humophalous influenza , went on 3 antibiotics and eliminated the 2 bugs. chest pain and breathing got worse, had a broncoscopy and blood work. Everything came out negative except dd strand dna (it was 12). Finally started 40 mg pred in Feb 2026 for 2 weeks then went to 30 mg for 54 days now on 25 mg for 2 weeks so far. My last Ctscan showed some improvement of inflammation. and I know I am getting better because I have no pain in my lung, my endurance and breathing are better. I still have a bad wheeze and dry cough. I did catch something and now on doxycyolone for 10 days. I am now on Albuterol 2 times a day 2 puffs. That helps a lot.
My Dr is concerned about the weakening of my immune symptons being on Prednisone so long , as I am, but the Cellcept scares me more. Again my questioin is, should I try the cellcept or continue with tappering on the prednisone? As the Dr is unsure of what I have, I am reluctant to change the course.

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@leslyb I agree with a second opinion - but I definitely suggest getting off the prednisone as soon as possible and finding and alternative. From being on steroids for too long, I needed cataract surgery … developed adrenal insufficiency … and now have severe steroid myopathy. It’s a catch 22 situation as I need to get off steroids in order to resolve the myopathy, but I can’t now because my adrenal glands don’t work anymore so I’m steroid dependent. I’m in a walker and working towards being recertified to drive which has probably been the worst part of all of this - being told I can’t drive as my legs are too weak. I spent 18 days in the hospital at Thanksgiving with myopathy and dysphagia, so while steroids make you feel better, they come with a significant downside. They are like black magic. My two cents to why a change is needed sooner rather than later.

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leslyb | @leslyb | May 5 10:06am

May I ask what is "along time" being on prednisone? In your experience?

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pm56 | @pm56 | May 5 6:00pm
In reply to @leslyb "May I ask what is "along time" being on prednisone? In your experience?" + (show)
Profile picture for leslyb @leslyb

May I ask what is "along time" being on prednisone? In your experience?

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@leslyb I'm sorry, my original comment was intended for the OP! I noticed my vision changed within the first few months of starting steroids. By the end of the second year I had to have both corneas replaced as my vision was 20-100, and I was no longer able to pass a driving test.

If you're on a high dose of steroids, adrenal suppression can begin as soon as after the first week, and that risk increases with prolonged use. Myopathy can begin at just 10mg of Prednisone a day for 4 weeks. At higher doses - in just 2-3 weeks. Long-term steroid use is considered 2-3 months. Everyone is different so what one person can tolerate may not be the same as someone else, but it doesn't really take very long for these unpleasant side effects to take effect.

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