Mycophenolate Mofetil: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Mycophenolate Mofetil is an antimetabolite immunosuppressant sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for graft vs host disease and psoriasis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Antimetabolite Immunosuppressant
- Treats (across its forms)
- Graft Vs Host Disease and Psoriasis
- Available as
- Capsule · Injectable · Powder · Tablet
- Sold as
- 2 products — Cellcept and Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How mycophenolate mofetil is dosed
From the FDA label for Cellcept (application NDA050722). Other mycophenolate mofetil products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Kidney Transplant 1 g twice daily, orally or intravenously (IV) over no less than 2 h ( 2.2 ) Heart Transplant 1.5 g twice daily orally or IV, over no less than 2 h ( 2.3 ) Liver Transplant 1.5 g twice daily orally or 1g twice daily IV over no less than 2 h ( 2.4 ) PEDIATRICS Kidney Transplant 600 mg/m 2 orally twice daily, up to maximum of 2 g daily ( 2.2 ) Heart Transplant 600 mg/m 2 orally twice daily (starting dose) up to a maximum of 900 mg/m 2 twice daily (3 g or 15 mL of oral suspension) ( 2.3 ) Liver Transplant 600 mg/m 2 orally twice daily (starting dose) up to a maximum of 900 mg/m 2 twice daily (3 g or 15 mL of oral suspension) ( 2.4 ) CELLCEPT Intravenous is an alternative when patients cannot tolerate oral medication. Administer within 24 hours following transplantation, until patients can tolerate oral medication, up to 14 days. ( 2.1 ) Reduce or interrupt dosing in the event of neutropenia. ( 2.5 ) See full prescribing information (FPI) for: adjustments for renal impairment and neutropenia ( 2.5 ), preparation of oral suspension and IV solution. ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions CELLCEPT should not be used without the supervision of a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy. CELLCEPT Capsules, Tablets and Oral Suspension CELLCEPT oral dosage forms (capsules, tablets or oral suspension) should not be used interchangeably with…
Mycophenolate Mofetil side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Embryofetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Lymphomas and Other Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions 5.2) ] Serious Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Blood Dyscrasias: Neutropenia, Pure Red Cell Aplasia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Gastrointestinal Complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Acute Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with Mycophenolate Products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (20 % or greater) include diarrhea, leukopenia, infection, vomiting, and there is evidence of a higher frequency of certain types of infections e.g., opportunistic infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.com 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. An estimated total of 1557 adult patients received CELLCEPT during pivotal clinical trials in the prevention of acute organ…
Who shouldn’t take mycophenolate mofetil
CELLCEPT is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), mycophenolic acid (MPA) or any component of the drug product [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] . CELLCEPT Intravenous is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN). History of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid or any component of the drug product ( 4 ) Patients allergic to Polysorbate 80 (present in CELLCEPT IV) ( 4 )
Mycophenolate Mofetil drug interactions
See FPI for drugs that may interfere with systemic exposure and reduce CELLCEPT efficacy: antacids with magnesium or aluminum hydroxide, proton pump inhibitors, drugs that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation, telmisartan, calcium-free phosphate binders. ( 7.1 ) CELLCEPT may reduce effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Use of additional barrier contraceptive methods is recommended. ( 7.2 ) See FPI for other important drug interactions. ( 7 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on CELLCEPT Table 7 Drug Interactions with CELLCEPT that Affect Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) Exposure Antacids with Magnesium or Aluminum Hydroxide Clinical Impact Concomitant use with an antacid containing magnesium or aluminum hydroxide decreases MPA systemic exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy. Prevention or Management Administer magnesium or aluminum hydroxide containing antacids at least 2h after CELLCEPT administration. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Clinical Impact Concomitant use with PPIs decreases MPA systemic exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy. Prevention or Management Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy when PPIs are co-administered with CELLCEPT. Examples Lansoprazole, pantoprazole Drugs that Interfere with Enterohepatic Recirculation Clinical Impact Concomitant use with drugs that directly interfere with enterohepatic recirculation, or indirectly interfere with enterohepatic recirculation by altering the gastrointestinal flora, can decrease MPA systemic exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy. Prevention or Management Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy or CELLCEPT related adverse reactions when these drugs are co-administered with CELLCEPT. Examples Cyclosporine A, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine), rifampin as well as aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone and penicillin classes of antimicrobials Drugs Modulating Glucuronidation Clinical Impact Concomitant use with drugs inducing glucuronidation decreases MPA systemic exposure, potentially reducing CELLCEPT efficacy, while use with drugs inhibiting glucuronidation increases MPA systemic exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of CELLCEPT related adverse reactions. Prevention or Management Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy or CELLCEPT related adverse reactions when these drugs are co-administered with CELLCEPT. Examples Telmisartan (induces glucuronidation); isavuconazole (inhibits glucuronidation). Calcium Free Phosphate Binders Clinical Impact Concomitant use with calcium free phosphate binders decrease MPA systemic exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy. Prevention or Management Administer calcium free phosphate binders at least 2 hours after CELLCEPT. Examples Sevelamer 7.2 Effect of CELLCEPT on Other Drugs Table 8 Drug Interactions with CELLCEPT that Affect Other Drugs Drugs that Undergo Renal Tubular Secretion Clinical Impact When concomitantly used with CELLCEPT, its metabolite MPAG, may compete with drugs eliminated by renal tubular secretion which may increase plasma concentrations and/or adverse reactions associated with these drugs. Prevention or Management Monitor for drug-related adverse reactions in patients with renal impairment. Examples Acyclovir, ganciclovir, probenecid, valacyclovir, valganciclovir Combination Oral Contraceptives Clinical Impact Concomitant use with CELLCEPT decreased the systemic exposure to levonorgestrel, but did not affect the systemic exposure to ethinylestradiol [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may result in reduced combination oral contraceptive effectiveness. Prevention or Management Use additional barrier contraceptive methods.
Every mycophenolate mofetil product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | No data | — | View → |
What mycophenolate mofetil pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Mycophenolate Mofetil recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Can you crush or split mycophenolate mofetil?
At least one mycophenolate mofetilproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.
What each mycophenolate mofetil label says about crushing, splitting and chewingHow long mycophenolate mofetil keeps
The date on a sealed pack is not the only one: some mycophenolate mofetil labels start a second clock once the product is opened or mixed, as short as 60 days.
Does mycophenolate mofetil expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsWhat people report to the FDA about mycophenolate mofetil
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 105,104 reports naming mycophenolate mofetil, and the FDA flagged 92% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- diarrhoea5,094 reports
- pyrexia4,510 reports
- cytomegalovirus infection4,400 reports
- pneumonia4,213 reports
- transplant rejection3,570 reports
- infection3,306 reports
- fatigue3,249 reports
- nausea3,186 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean mycophenolate mofetil caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is mycophenolate mofetil?
CELLCEPT (mycophenolate mofetil) is an antimetabolite immunosuppressant. It is the 2-morpholinoethyl ester of mycophenolic acid (MPA), an immunosuppressive agent; inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor.
What kind of drug is mycophenolate mofetil?
The FDA classifies mycophenolate mofetil as an antimetabolite immunosuppressant. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take mycophenolate mofetil with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run mycophenolate mofetil against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is mycophenolate mofetil sold under?
We track 2 mycophenolate mofetil-containing products in the U.S.: Cellcept and Mycophenolate Mofetil. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does mycophenolate mofetil come in?
Across the brands we track, mycophenolate mofetil is currently marketed as capsule, injectable, powder and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic mycophenolate mofetil?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic mycophenolate mofetil product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has mycophenolate mofetil been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions mycophenolate mofetil. The most recent: Mycophenolate Mofetil for Injection USP (Jul 2, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Mycophenolate Mofetil: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/mycophenolate-mofetil
- MLA
- “Mycophenolate Mofetil: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/mycophenolate-mofetil.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for mycophenolate mofetil on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.