Myfortic

Myfortic is a drug manufactured by Novartis AG to aide people who have had a kidney transplant. The immune system will recognize a new kidney as something foreign and may attack it or reject it. Myfortic helps keep the immune system from rejecting the new kidney by slowing down or suppressing the immune system. This provides additional time for the kidney to be accepted by the body.

On November 27, 2007, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that Myfortic may increase the risk of miscarriages in the first three months of the pregnancy. Myfortic was also found to increase the risk of birth defects such as malformations of the external ear and face in addition to other drug-related birth defect risks including anomalies of distal limbs.

Source: “Novartis’ Myfortic Poses Fetal Risks — FDA,”
Reuters, November 27, 2007.