mycophenolate mofetil at a glance
Medicine class
Immunosuppressant; inhibitor of lymphocyte purine synthesis
Licensed role
Prevention of rejection after kidney, heart or liver transplantation
Administration
Tablets and capsules are swallowed whole; oral suspension is shaken and measured with the supplied dispenser
What is mycophenolate mofetil used for?
Licensed and specialist uses include:
Licensed: prevention of acute rejection in adults and children receiving an allogeneic kidney, heart or liver transplant, in combination with ciclosporin and corticosteroids.
Non-licensed: specialists may use it for selected autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune hepatitis, when clinically appropriate.
How does mycophenolate mofetil work?
The body converts mycophenolate mofetil into mycophenolic acid. This reduces production of guanosine building blocks needed by T and B lymphocytes, so these immune cells multiply less readily and immune responses are reduced.
mycophenolate mofetil preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 250 mg
Oral suspension
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 g, 1 g/5 mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take mycophenolate mofetil
Follow the prescription label and do not stop treatment without specialist advice. It may be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets and capsules whole; do not crush tablets or open capsules. Shake oral suspension before use, measure it with the supplied oral dispenser and do not mix it with another liquid when swallowing. Avoid contact with damaged capsules, powder or suspension; wash exposed skin with soap and water and rinse exposed eyes with plain water.
A pharmacist will normally prepare powder for oral suspension before it is supplied.
Different oral formulations should not be substituted without clinical supervision.
Clean the oral dispenser as directed in the product leaflet.
mycophenolate mofetil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort
- Infections
- Reduced white or red blood-cell counts
- Headache, tiredness or dizziness
- Bruising or skin rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infection or sepsis
- Bone-marrow suppression, suggested by unusual bruising, bleeding, pallor or recurrent infection
- Severe allergic reaction with breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling
- Gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding or perforation
- Persistent cough or breathlessness associated with lung complications
- Lymphoma and other cancers, particularly skin cancer, with long-term immunosuppression
mycophenolate mofetil in pregnancy
Mycophenolate can cause miscarriage and severe congenital malformations. It should not be used during pregnancy unless no suitable alternative can prevent transplant rejection. People who could become pregnant require negative pregnancy testing and reliable contraception before treatment, throughout treatment and for six weeks after stopping; two complementary methods are preferred. Contact the specialist urgently if pregnancy occurs, is suspected or is being planned—do not stop treatment independently. Men or their partners should use reliable contraception during treatment and for 90 days after stopping.
mycophenolate mofetil while breastfeeding
Mycophenolate mofetil is contraindicated while breastfeeding because mycophenolic acid enters human milk and could cause serious effects in the infant. Discuss alternative treatment or feeding options with the specialist team before delivery or breastfeeding.
mycophenolate mofetil interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with the transplant or specialist team. Important interactions include:
Cholestyramine
Can substantially reduce mycophenolic acid exposure and effectiveness.
Rifampicin
Can markedly reduce mycophenolic acid exposure, requiring specialist monitoring and review.
Certain antibiotics
May temporarily reduce mycophenolic acid exposure.
Sevelamer and other phosphate binders
May reduce absorption; administration may need separating under pharmacist or specialist direction.
Common questions about mycophenolate mofetil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is mycophenolate mofetil used for?
Its licensed use is preventing acute rejection after kidney, heart or liver transplantation, alongside other immunosuppressants. Specialists also use it outside its licence for selected autoimmune disorders.
Is mycophenolate mofetil a steroid?
No. It is an immunosuppressant that blocks lymphocyte purine synthesis, although it is often used alongside corticosteroids after transplantation.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.