Mycophenolate Mofetil
Pronunciation: (my-koe-FEN-oh-late moe-FET-il).
- Generic name
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Brand names
- Myfortic, Renodapt, Mycofit, CellCept, Myfenax, Mycept
- Drug class
- Immunosuppressant (Antimetabolite)
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What Mycophenolate mofetil is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Mycophenolate mofetil works
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is classified as Immunosuppressant (Antimetabolite). See the how-to-take, warnings, and interactions sections for the redistributed clinician-authored dosing and safety detail formerly held in this field. (2)
What Mycophenolate mofetil is used for
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic renal transplant
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic renal transplant (1)
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic cardiac transplant
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic cardiac transplant (1)
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic hepatic transplant
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic hepatic transplant (1)
Treatment of lupus nephritis (off-label)
Treatment of lupus nephritis (off-label) (1)
Treatment of various autoimmune diseases (off-label)
Treatment of various autoimmune diseases (off-label) (1)
Before taking Mycophenolate mofetil
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take mycophenolate mofetil if you have ever had a hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylaxis, to mycophenolate mofetil, to mycophenolic acid, or to any other ingredient of the product. This is the absolute contraindication stated in the prescribing information. (all countries)
- The intravenous form must not be given to anyone who is allergic to Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN), which it contains. (all countries)
- Do not start or continue mycophenolate mofetil while you are pregnant unless there is no safer treatment option and your specialist has decided the benefit outweighs the risk. This is a boxed warning: use in pregnancy causes a high rate of first-trimester pregnancy loss and of serious birth defects affecting several organ systems. (all countries)
- Do not start mycophenolate mofetil if you could become pregnant until you have had a negative pregnancy test (serum or urine, sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL) immediately before your first dose, and have agreed a contraception plan with your specialist. Acceptable options include an intrauterine device, tubal sterilisation, a vasectomised partner, or a hormonal method combined with a barrier method (or two barrier methods together). (all countries)
- Do not stop your contraception too early. Women must keep using acceptable contraception throughout treatment and for 6 weeks after the last dose, unless they choose complete abstinence. Sexually active men are advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose. (all countries)
- Do not donate blood while taking mycophenolate mofetil or for at least 6 weeks after your last dose. Men should not donate semen during treatment or for 90 days after the last dose. (all countries)
- Mycophenolate mofetil should be avoided if you have an inherited deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT), such as Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome. (all countries)
- Do not have a live attenuated vaccine while taking mycophenolate mofetil — live vaccines should be avoided during treatment. Check with your transplant or specialist team before any vaccination. (all countries)
Tell your clinician about
- Whether you are pregnant, could become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
- Any allergy to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, or Polysorbate 80.
- Any active infection, or any history of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis or shingles — mycophenolate mofetil increases susceptibility to infection, including serious and opportunistic infections.
- Any history of cancer, especially skin cancer — treatment raises the risk of lymphoma and other cancers, particularly of the skin.
- Any digestive disease, including stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding.
- Kidney problems, and any inherited enzyme deficiency such as HGPRT deficiency.
- Every other medicine you take, including antacids, cholestyramine, proton pump inhibitors, aciclovir, ganciclovir and hormonal contraceptives.
- Any planned vaccination, blood donation or semen donation.
How to take Mycophenolate mofetil
- Take MMF exactly as prescribed, at the same times each day. Swallow tablets or capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew. Take on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, unless otherwise directed. If you are using the oral suspension, shake well before each use.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
Contact your prescriber or pharmacist for advice on a missed dose.
Overdose
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include severe infection, bone marrow suppression, or gastrointestinal toxicity. Supportive care and monitoring are essential. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Diarrhea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nausea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Vomiting
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Headache
Incidence: Reported as a common side effect by the American College of Rheumatology
Dizziness
Incidence: Reported as a common side effect by the American College of Rheumatology
Rash
Incidence: Reported as a common side effect by the American College of Rheumatology
Leukopenia (low white blood cell count) or anemia — detected via the required regular blood monitoring
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, serious brain infection
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; very rare but serious
Sepsis
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; seek prompt medical attention if this occurs
Severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing), severe abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, or signs of a serious infection such as high fever, persistent sore throat, or unexplained weakness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; seek immediate medical attention if this occurs
Serious warnings
A known allergy to mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid, or pregnancy, needs urgent assessment by the prescribing transplant or immunology team before MMF is used — the team will decide whether it is appropriate given the alternatives and risks — serious
Symptoms: A known allergy to mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid, or pregnancy, needs urgent assessment by the prescribing transplant or immunology team before MMF is used — the team will decide whether it is appropriate given the alternatives and risks.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Increases risk of serious infections — serious
Symptoms: Increases risk of serious infections. If symptoms of infection develop (such as fever, chills, or persistent cough), contact the prescribing team promptly and let them advise on whether treatment needs to change.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (1)
May cause birth defects and pregnancy loss — serious
Symptoms: May cause birth defects and pregnancy loss; pregnancy must be discussed with the prescribing team before starting, during, and when planning to stop MMF, since it is used only when the prescriber judges it essential.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (1)
May increase risk of lymphoma and other malignancies — serious
Symptoms: May increase risk of lymphoma and other malignancies.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Can cause blood disorders (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) — serious
Symptoms: Can cause blood disorders (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia).
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Requires regular laboratory monitoring of blood counts and liver function — serious
Symptoms: Requires regular laboratory monitoring of blood counts and liver function.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2) (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| General | MMF can interact with antacids, cholestyramine, acyclovir, ganciclovir, certain antibiotics (e.g., rifampicin), and other immunosuppressants. These interactions may reduce the effectiveness of MMF or increase the risk of side effects. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking. | (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Mycophenolate mofetil is associated with birth defects and pregnancy loss. Contraception should be discussed with the prescribing team and a gynecologist or primary care physician before starting treatment; a specific pre/post-treatment contraception duration is not established from the independent sources reviewed and remains a clinician-directed decision. (1)
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be avoided while taking mycophenolate mofetil because the drug passes into breast milk; discuss infant feeding plans with the prescribing team. (1)
Children
Dosing for children is based on body surface area and the type of transplant. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions. (1)
Renal_impairment
Renal impairment: in kidney-transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR <25 mL/min/1.73m^2) outside the immediate transplant period, do not exceed 1 g twice daily; no adjustment is needed for delayed graft function immediately post-transplant. Hepatic impairment: for liver-transplant recipients the oral dose is 1.5 g twice daily (3 g/day); the FDA label does not provide a separate dose-reduction table for hepatic impairment outside the transplant-indication dosing itself, so any additional adjustment should be individualised by the prescribing team. (1)
Hepatic_impairment
Renal impairment: in kidney-transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR <25 mL/min/1.73m^2) outside the immediate transplant period, do not exceed 1 g twice daily; no adjustment is needed for delayed graft function immediately post-transplant. Hepatic impairment: for liver-transplant recipients the oral dose is 1.5 g twice daily (3 g/day); the FDA label does not provide a separate dose-reduction table for hepatic impairment outside the transplant-indication dosing itself, so any additional adjustment should be individualised by the prescribing team. (1)
Monitoring
(1)Storage
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children. Oral suspension should be refrigerated and discarded after 60 days.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving an allogeneic renal transplant
Dose summary: Clinician-authored database record: 1,000 mg to 1,500 mg orally twice daily, depending on the organ transplanted and other immunosuppressants used. This figure is DB-only and pending full product-label verification; not enabled as a self-service dosing tool.
Renal context: In kidney transplant patients with severe chronic impairment of the graft (GFR less than 25 mL/min/1.73m^2) outside the immediate post-transplant period, the FDA label directs that mycophenolate mofetil doses greater than 1 g twice a day should not be administered, and patients should be carefully monitored. No dose adjustment is needed in kidney-transplant patients experiencing delayed graft function postoperatively. (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) used for?
MMF is primarily used to prevent organ rejection after kidney, heart, or liver transplantation. It is often combined with other immunosuppressants to improve transplant success.
Can I take MMF during pregnancy?
MMF is not recommended during pregnancy due to a high risk of birth defects and pregnancy loss. Effective contraception is required during treatment; the clinician-authored database record for this medicine states at least 6 weeks after stopping MMF, a figure this pass has not independently verified against a full product label — confirm the exact duration with the prescribing team.
What should I do if I develop an infection while on MMF?
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, or persistent cough. MMF suppresses your immune system, increasing infection risk.
Can MMF be taken with food?
It is best taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals), but if stomach upset occurs, your doctor may allow you to take it with food.
Are there any long-term risks with MMF?
Long-term use can increase the risk of infections, certain cancers (like lymphoma), and blood disorders. Regular monitoring is required.
How long do I need to take MMF after a transplant?
Most patients need to take MMF for as long as they have the transplanted organ, unless advised otherwise by their transplant team.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Contact your transplant team or pharmacist for advice on a missed dose rather than adjusting the schedule yourself — this is especially important for MMF because of its narrow safety margin and the risk of organ rejection.
What is the mechanism of action of Mycophenolate mofetil?
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is classified as Immunosuppressant (Antimetabolite). See the how-to-take, warnings, and interactions sections for the redistributed clinician-authored dosing and safety detail formerly held in this field. (2)
What is the generic name of Mycophenolate Mofetil?
The generic name is Mycophenolate mofetil. It is sold under brand names including Myfortic, Renodapt, Mycofit, CellCept, Myfenax, Mycept.
What class of drug is Mycophenolate mofetil?
Mycophenolate Mofetil is classed as: Immunosuppressant (Antimetabolite).
References
- Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) and Mycophenolate Sodium (Myfortic)American College of Rheumatology · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- Mycophenolate Mofetil — Clinician-Authored Medicine RecordMedGuideGlobal clinical database (medicines table) · multi-country_clinician_record · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL TABLET, FILM COATED [A-S MEDICATION SOLUTIONS] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- mycophenolate mofetil — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA065416)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Mycophenolate mofetil — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 237112)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Mycophenolate mofetil names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- CellCept250 mg, 200 mg/mL, 500 mg/20mL, 500 mg · genentech, inc.
- MYHIBBIN200 mg/mL · azurity pharmaceuticals, inc.
Canada
- CELLCEPT
- CELLCEPT I.V.
- CO MYCOPHENOLATE
- ACH-MYCOPHENOLATE