Mycophenolate Mofetil

What is this medication for?

• IMHA, myasthenia gravis, glomerulonephritis, pemphigus foliaceous — usually when other agents (azathioprine, steroids) fail
• IMHA — very limited case data

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• Give on an empty stomach when possible — switch to with-food dosing only if vomiting/inappetence becomes limiting.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, low energy/tiredness (Most common, dose-related (more at 30 mg/kg than 10 mg/kg))
• Lymphopenia, increased dermal infection rates (Reported)
• Well tolerated at 10 mg/kg every 12 hours

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Hypersensitivity
• has or has had: Severe renal dysfunction (dose adjustment); into a vein form must be infused over ≥2h, never bolus

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Antacids (Al/Mg-containing), oral iron
  • Azathioprine
  • Acyclovir, probenecid, aspirin
  • Live vaccines

Storage and handling

15–30°C, protect from light. Manufacturer recommends tablets/capsules not be crushed, split, or opened (teratogenicity handling concern). Reconstituted oral suspension: discard after 60 days.

Good to know

• Give on an empty stomach when possible — switch to with-food dosing only if vomiting/inappetence becomes limiting.
• Human labeling carries a black-box lymphoma-risk warning — while veterinary significance is unclear given limited use, factor this into long-term risk discussions with owners.
• Reserve for cases where azathioprine or glucocorticoids alone have failed — this is generally a second/third-line agent in current veterinary practice, not first-line.