FDA MedWatch

04/10/2008 -  FDA informed healthcare professionals that the Agency is investigating a potential association between the use of CellCept and Myfortic, medicines used to prevent organ rejection, and the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a life-threatening disease. PML is a rare disorder that affects the central nervous system usually occurring in patients with immune systems suppressed by disease or medicines. FDA is reviewing data submitted by Roche, including postmarketing reports it has received of PML in patients who took CellCept or Myfortic, and the proposed revisions to the CellCept prescribing information.  FDA has asked Novartis, the maker of Myfortic, for data on PML cases and to revise the Myfortic prescribing information to include the same information about PML included in the CellCept prescribing information.  FDA anticipates it may take about 2 months to complete its review of the postmarketing reports and the proposed revisions to the prescribing information.  As soon as the review is completed, FDA will communicate the conclusions and recommendations to the public.

Until further information is available, patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of the possibility of PML, such as localized neurologic signs and symptoms in the setting of a suppressed immune system, including during therapy with CellCept and Myfortic. Read the complete 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the FDA Communication About an Ongoing Safety Review regarding this issue and prior MedWatch alerts regarding these products at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#mycophenolate