NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Mycophenolate Mofetil

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

Mycophenolate mofetil is an immunosuppressive prodrug of mycophenolic acid used to prevent organ transplant rejection in combination regimens. It carries boxed warnings for embryofetal toxicity, malignancies, and serious infections, and its absorption can be reduced by magnesium/aluminum antacids and some binders.

Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Mycophenolate mofetil is an immunosuppressive prodrug of mycophenolic acid used to prevent organ transplant rejection in combination regimens. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Kidney transplant adults: commonly 1 g orally twice daily. Heart or liver transplant adults: commonly 1.5 g orally twice daily. Dosing varies by transplant protocol, tolerability, cytopenias, infection, and kidney function., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 3 sources.

What it's good for
  • Prevention of kidney transplant rejection1,2
  • Prevention of heart transplant rejection1,2
  • Prevention of liver transplant rejection1,2
  • Steroid- and calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing component of transplant regimens
What to watch for
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Known hypersensitivity to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, or formulation components1,3
  • Pregnancy unless no suitable alternatives and benefits outweigh risks under REMS requirements3

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: prevention of kidney transplant rejection, prevention of heart transplant rejection, prevention of liver transplant rejection. 3 sources indexed (1996–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Mycophenolate mofetil is hydrolyzed to mycophenolic acid, a selective, reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. This blocks de novo guanosine nucleotide synthesis, which T and B lymphocytes rely on heavily for proliferation. Enterohepatic recirculation contributes to exposure, and antacid or binder effects can reduce absorption.1,3

Class
Antiproliferative immunosuppressant
Absorption
Best on an empty stomach
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
Kidney transplant adults: commonly 1 g orally twice daily. Heart or liver transplant adults: commonly 1.5 g orally twice daily. Dosing varies by transplant protocol, tolerability, cytopenias, infection, and kidney function.
Recommended form
Oral capsule, tablet, suspension, or supervised intravenous formulation; do not crush tablets or open capsules unnecessarily because of teratogenic handling concerns

Often taken on an empty stomach for consistency, but may be taken with food if needed for gastrointestinal tolerability if the transplant team agrees. Separate from magnesium/aluminum antacids and binders that can reduce absorption.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Leukopenia
  • Anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Serious infections
  • Lymphoma and skin cancers
  • Pregnancy loss and congenital malformations
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy rarely

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, or formulation components1,3
  • Pregnancy unless no suitable alternatives and benefits outweigh risks under REMS requirements3
  • Avoid live vaccines during significant immunosuppression
  • Use caution with active serious infection, severe cytopenias, gastrointestinal ulcer disease, or hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency3,2
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Randomized controlled trials

1
  • 1A blinded, randomized clinical trial of mycophenolate mofetil for the prevention of acute rejection in cadaveric renal transplantationThe Tricontinental Mycophenolate Mofetil Renal Transplantation Study Group · Transplantation · 1996

    Pivotal transplant trials established efficacy for rejection prophylaxis.

Reviews & position papers

1
  • 2KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for the Care of Kidney Transplant RecipientsKidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes · American Journal of Transplantation · 2009

    Guideline supports monitoring blood counts, infections, malignancy prevention, and drug interactions in transplant care.

Reference material

1
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Mycophenolate Mofetil, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Mycophenolate Mofetil?

Mycophenolate mofetil is an immunosuppressive prodrug of mycophenolic acid used to prevent organ transplant rejection in combination regimens. It carries boxed warnings for embryofetal toxicity, malignancies, and serious infections, and its absorption can be reduced by magnesium/aluminum antacids and some binders.

What is Mycophenolate Mofetil used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Mycophenolate Mofetil include: Prevention of kidney transplant rejection; Prevention of heart transplant rejection; Prevention of liver transplant rejection; Steroid- and calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing component of transplant regimens. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Mycophenolate Mofetil?

A typical adult dose of Mycophenolate Mofetil is Kidney transplant adults: commonly 1 g orally twice daily. Heart or liver transplant adults: commonly 1.5 g orally twice daily. Dosing varies by transplant protocol, tolerability, cytopenias, infection, and kidney function.. The commonly recommended form is Oral capsule, tablet, suspension, or supervised intravenous formulation; do not crush tablets or open capsules unnecessarily because of teratogenic handling concerns. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil?

Reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, leukopenia, anemia. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Mycophenolate Mofetil?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Mycophenolate Mofetil in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.