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Mycophenolate Mofetil
Mycophenolate mofetil is a prescription drug licensed to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted liver, kidney, or heart. It comes in several forms, including capsules, tablets, an oral liquid suspension, and an intravenous (IV) injection. This medicine works by blocking the actions of certain enzymes, making the immune system less active. Side effects may include pain and swelling.
Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®) is a prescription medication approved to prevent organ rejection in people who have received a heart, kidney, or liver transplant. It is used in combination with cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®) and a corticosteroid medication (such as prednisone). Mycophenolate mofetil comes in the form of a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, and an intravenous (IV) injection.
Mycophenolate, the active ingredient in mycophenolate mofetil, is available as mycophenolate sodium in Myfortic®. Mycophenolate mofetil and Myfortic are not interchangeable medications, as they contain different forms of mycophenolate and they affect the body in different ways.
(Click What Is Mycophenolate Mofetil Used For? for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Just like any medicine, mycophenolate mofetil may cause side effects. Like other immunosuppressant medications, side effects can be numerous and potentially serious. Although not everyone who uses the drug will experience problems, most people will experience some type of side effect during mycophenolate mofetil treatment.
Common side effects of mycophenolate mofetil include but are not limited to:
- Pain
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Swelling of the legs, ankle, and feet.
(Click Mycophenolate Mofetil Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD