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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Fresh Research - Mycophenolate
        
(Message started by: floridian on Aug 29^th, 2004, 11:09pm)

Title: Fresh Research - Mycophenolate
Post by floridian on Aug 29^th, 2004, 11:09pm

Apparently, tolerance develops to this drug - it really helps CH, but only for a while. While usually thought of as an immunosupressant for people with organ transplants, mycophenolate mofetil is also being used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. More evidence for the neuroimmune hypothesis of CH.

Mycophenolate mofetil is 'steroid-sparing' which means it slows the breakdown of steroids in the body. In addition to the 'steroid-sparing' effect, mycophenolate also changes inositol metabolism (lithium and cortisone also change inositol metabolism). MM doesn't reduce levels of IL-1 in the body, but it does block the changes that IL-1 usually triggers. (IL-1 is elevated in CH)

Quote:

Headache. 2004 Sep;44(8):818-20.
Complete but transient relief of chronic cluster headache with mycophenolate mofetil.

Rozen TD.

Chronic cluster headache is one of the most disabling of all neurologic conditions. New effective therapies for refractory chronic cluster headache are needed. The unique sensitivity of most cluster headache patients to corticosteroid treatment suggests that steroid-sparing immunosuppressive drugs may show benefit as cluster headache preventives. A patient is presented who had complete but transient relief of chronic cluster headache with mycophenolate mofetil.

Title: Re: Fresh Research - Mycophenolate
Post by BillyJ. on Aug 31^st, 2004, 3:01am

In laymans terms does this say that it may work like prednisone but with less danger to the body?

Title: Re: Fresh Research - Mycophenolate
Post by floridian on Aug 31^st, 2004, 8:54am

on 08/31/04 at 03:01:28, BillyJ. wrote:

In laymans terms does this say that it may work like prednisone but with less danger to the body?

Different dangers to the body - maybe better for some people. But the benefits are only short term, it stops working after a while. This is one more option as a transitional drug, and it may shed some light on what's going on under the surface of CH.