Cellcept

Cellcept Drug Information

• Cellcept Overview

  Mycophenolate is used in combination with other medications to keep your body from attacking and rejecting your transplanted organ (such as kidney, liver, heart). It belongs to a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening your body's defense system (immune system) to help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own.

• Cellcept Warnings

  Mycophenolate may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough, burning/painful/urgent urination, change in the amount of urine). Mycophenolate may rarely cause cancer (such as lymphoma, skin cancer). Protect your skin from the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.swollen glands, sudden weight loss, night sweats, change in appearance or size of moles, or unusual skin changes/growth. Mycophenolate may harm an unborn baby. When using mycophenolate, all males - and all women of childbearing age - must use reliable forms of birth control. See also Precautions section.

• How to Use Cellcept

  Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking mycophenolate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Cellcept by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew. If you are taking the capsules, do not open them before swallowing. If the capsule comes apart or if there is dust from the tablets, avoid inhaling the powder or dust, and avoid direct contact with the skin or eyes. If contact occurs, wash the affected skin area well with soap and water or rinse your eyes with plain water. Consult your pharmacist for details. Since Cellcept can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle Cellcept or breathe the dust from the tablets or powder from the capsules. The Dosage of Cellcept is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, it is also based on body size. Use Cellcept regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is very important to continue taking Cellcept even if you feel well. Do not stop taking mycophenolate without first talking to your doctor. Certain products may make it harder for your body to absorb mycophenolate if they are taken at the same time. Do not take Cellcept at the same time as antacids containing aluminum and/or magnesium, cholestyramine, colestipol, or calcium-free phosphate binders (such as aluminum products, lanthanum, sevelamer). Ask your pharmacist for more details. Do not change brands or forms of mycophenolate unless directed by your doctor.

• Cellcept Precautions

  Before taking mycophenolate mofetil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to mycophenolic acid; or to mycophenolate sodium; or if you have any other allergies. Cellcept may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Cellcept, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,cancer, liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C), kidney disease, current/past infections (such as herpes, shingles), stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcers), rare genetic disorders (such as Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndromes). Cellcept may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Mycophenolate can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Do not donate blood while using mycophenolate and for 6 weeks after stopping Cellcept. Do not donate sperm while using mycophenolate and for 90 days after stopping Cellcept. Since Cellcept can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle Cellcept or breathe the dust from the tablets or powder from the capsules. Cellcept is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Cellcept and for 6 weeks after stopping it. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Women of childbearing age should talk to their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage). Women of childbearing age should have a pregnancy test before starting Cellcept, after 8 to 10 days on treatment, and during routine follow-up visits. Women of childbearing age should ask about using reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 weeks after stopping treatment. Males with female partners of childbearing age should use reliable forms of birth control while using Cellcept and for 3 months after stopping treatment. See also Drug Interactions section. It is unknown if Cellcept passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Cellcept is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Cellcept Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Cellcept, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Cellcept Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.other drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as natalizumab, rituximab). Cellcept may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. If you are using hormonal birth control, you should use an additional non-hormonal form of birth control while using Cellcept. Discuss your options with your doctor or pharmacist. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.

• Cellcept Side Effects

  What are Cellcept side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Cellcept may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Cellcept as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Cellcept

  The side effects of Cellcept may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Cellcept. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Cellcept may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Cellcept, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Cellcept.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Cellcept, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Cellcept and the side effects associated with Cellcept are described in the following:

  Common Cellcept Side Effects

  Severe

  • oral candidiasis
  • infection
  • anemia
  • leukopenia
  • hypertension
  • hematuria
  • peripheral edema
  • leukocytosis

  Less Severe

  • tachycardia
  • upper respiratory infection
  • urinary tract infection
  • dyspepsia
  • constipation
  • hyperglycemia
  • symptoms of anxiety
  • headache disorder
  • dyspnea
  • cough
  • chest pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • postoperative acute pain

  Less Frequent Cellcept Side Effects

  Severe

  • neutropenic disorder
  • colitis
  • gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • hypothyroidism
  • opportunistic fungal infection

  Less Severe

  • pharyngitis
  • arthralgias
  • back pain
  • dizziness
  • insomnia
  • fever
  • skin rash
  • acute abdominal pain
  • abdominal distension
  • cramps in legs
  • visual changes
  • tinnitus
  • depression
  • ecchymosis

  Rare or Very Rare Cellcept Side Effects

  Severe

  • bacterial sepsis
  • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • neoplasm
  • malignant lymphoma
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • reactivation of hepatitis C
  • lymphocele
  • acute pancreatitis
  • lymphadenopathy
  • cytomegalovirus disease
  • pure red cell aplasia
  • viral infection
  • BK polyomavirus reactivation nephropathy
  • gastrointestinal ulcer
  • gastrointestinal perforation
  • interstitial lung disease
  • urinary retention
  • reactivation of hepatitis B
  • acute renal failure
  • osteoporosis
  • hepatitis
  • osteomyelitis
  • protozoal infection
  • impaired wound healing
  • hypotension
  • cardiac arrhythmia
  • pulmonary fibrosis
  • diarrhea with villous atrophy of the intestine
  • hypogammaglobulinemia
  • meningitis
  • active tuberculosis
  • atypical mycobacterial infection
  • Kaposi's sarcoma
  • pulmonary edema
  • agranulocytosis
  • peritonitis
  • lymphopenia
  • post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease
  • pancytopenia
  • venous thrombosis
  • hypersensitivity drug reaction

  Less Severe

  • tremor
  • pruritus of skin
  • basal cell carcinoma of skin
  • anorexia
  • gastritis
  • xerostomia
  • wheezing
  • general weakness
  • bronchiectasis
  • acute confusion
  • drowsy

• Cellcept Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Cellcept when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.