Objective To observe the efficacy and recurrence rates of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on hormone-dependent or steroid-resistant adult minimal change disease (MCD). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of adult patients at Shunde district hospital of traditonal Chinese medicine of Foshan for minimal change from February 2011 to August 2013. All patients who were hormone-dependent or steroid-resistant were collected. Twenty-five patients were randomly divided into short or long course group. The patient at short course group was given MMF combined with oral prednisone for 6 months, and the long course group was given for 18 months. Patient demographics, efficacy of medicines and recurrence rates were observed. Results Except one case of the long course group quitting at the second month because of severe infection, the other cases all finished the 18 months of follow up. At the 6 month after therapy with MMF, in both group, the 24h urine protein had lowered significantly (P<0.05) and the serum albumin level had risen remarkably (P<0.05). At the end of the follow up, compared with the 6 month after therapy, the 24 h urine protein of the short course group had increased (P<0.05), while those of the long course group had no obvious difference (P>0.05). At the 6 month after therapy, there were 9 cases achieved complete remission.There was no significant difference between the two groups (χ²=0.372, P>0.05). At the end of the follow up, compared with the 6 month after therapy, there were 6 cases experienced relapse (54.54%) in the short course group and 2 cases of those in the long course group (18.18%), but with no significant difference between them (χ²=0.076, P>0.05). Conclusion MMF can induce the remission of adult MCD efficiently, and its low dose maintenance treatment can decrease recurrence rates.