Mycophenolate Mofetil-Induced Ischemic Colitis

Abstract

A new immunosuppressive agent, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), has proved to be effective in reducing the incidence of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients.¹-⁴ Gastrointestinal side effects, especially diarrhea, are among its most common side effects. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to gastric and duodenal ulceration has also been described. However, the lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to colonic ulceration has rarely been reported in the literature.5 To the best of our knowledge, there has been no reported case documenting the occurrence of MMF-induced ischemic colitis. We describe a case of ischemic colitis and hematochezia with the use of MMF in renal transplant recipients.