This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Mycophenolate mofetil found effective for autoimmune, chronic idiopathic urticaria

Mycophenolate mofetil may be effective in treating autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria when antihistamines and other therapeutic agents fail, according to study results.

Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil in 19 patients with autoimmune urticaria or chronic idiopathic urticaria. The patients’ average age was 45 years. Patients received 500 mg mycophenolate mofetil twice daily, with increases made during increments of 2 to 4 weeks.

Seventeen of 19 patients (89%) showed improvement, with a rate of 91% seen in those with autoimmune urticaria and a rate of 88% in those with chronic idiopathic urticaria was reported. Complete control of urticaria was found in 59% of the patients who saw initial improvement (70% of patients with autoimmune urticaria; 43% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria). Gastrointestinal distress was reported as a side effect in 53% of patients.

“ … mycophenolate mofetil is a useful and well-tolerated second-line therapy for patients with autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria who have failed therapy with antihistamines or other therapeutic agents,” the researchers concluded.