Mycophenolic acid and Food

Take mycophenolic acid on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Food may reduce the absorption of mycophenolic acid. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. Do not crush, chew, or cut the tablets. The tablets have a special coating to protect the stomach from irritation.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration of enteric coated mycophenolic acid with meals may alter its pharmacokinetics relative to administration in the fasting state. When mycophenolic acid 720 mg was administered with a high-fat meal, there was a 33% decrease in the peak plasma concentration (Cmax); a 3.5-hour increase in delay time for the rise of plasma mycophenolic acid; and a 5-hour delay in the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax). However, no effect was observed on the systemic exposure of mycophenolic acid.

MANAGEMENT: To avoid variability in drug absorption between doses, enteric coated formulations of mycophenolic acid should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food intake. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed or divided in order to maintain the integrity of the enteric coating.