Cellcept

The active ingredient in Cellcept is mycophenolate mofetil. As an immunosuppressant, it prevents your body from producing specific immune system cells, which reduces the activity of your immune system. This lessens the likelihood that your body will reject an organ transplant. Organ rejection happens when your immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Cellcept. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Cellcept:

• CellCept should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after eating.
• Avoid crushing, chewing, breaking, or opening the capsule or tablet; instead, swallow it whole. If you have difficulty swallowing a tablet or capsule, let your doctor know.
• Before measuring a dose of the oral suspension, shake it. Only use the dosage syringe that comes with this medication.
• You will require regular medical examinations.

The most common side effects of Cellcept include:

• High blood pressure.
• Headache.
• High cholesterol.
• High blood sugar levels.
• Neck, back, or muscle pain.
• Constipation.
• Low magnesium or potassium levels.
• Low platelet count.
• Shortness of breath.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Dizziness.
• Weakness.
• Swelling.
• Nausea.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Cellcept. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Serious allergic reactions - swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, and trouble breathing.
• Increased risk of serious infections, including a rare but very serious and possibly fatal brain infection - signs of infection include fever, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, weakness, sweating, and chills.
• Increased bleeding and stomach ulcers - blood in the stool or urine, mysterious bruises, and bleeding that takes longer than usual to stop.
• Increased risk of cancer, especially skin cancer and lymphomas.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Cellcept. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Cellcept, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• If you have an allergy to polysorbate 80, mycophenolic acid, or mycophenolate mofetil, you should avoid using Cellcept.
• If you accidentally get the powder or oral suspension in your eyes or other mucous membranes, flush with plain water.
• CellCept levels in the blood can be lowered by food. This could make the medication less effective, which could increase your risk of transplant rejection. Because of this, you should take CellCept on an empty stomach.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Cellcept with your physician. This medication may raise your risk of developing cancer, developing a serious or deadly infection, or contracting a virus that can lead to kidney transplant failure.
• If you experience a stomach ulcer or digestive issues, diabetes, hepatitis B or C, or any other viral infection such as herpes or shingles, phenylketonuria (the liquid form of this medication may contain phenylalanine), or a rare inherited enzyme deficiency like Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome, contact your doctor immediately.
• Cellcept may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. To avoid getting pregnant, ask your doctor about using different forms of birth control such as a contraceptive sponge, cervical cap, diaphragm, or other barrier birth control methods.
• If your sexual partner has had a vasectomy, you have had a tubal ligation, or you use an intrauterine device (IUD), you do not require additional birth control.
• Until you know how this medication will affect you, stay away from driving and other dangerous activities. You might not react as well.
• Mycophenolate mofetil may increase your susceptibility to sunburn. Steer clear of tanning beds and sunlight. When you're outside, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to avoid skin cancer.
• While taking this medication and for at least six weeks (for blood) or ninety days (for sperm) following your last dosage, you are not permitted to donate blood or sperm.
• Cellcept has the potential to result in anemia or a low red blood cell count. Throughout treatment, your doctor will monitor your blood cell counts to ensure they don't drop too low. Depending on how low your blood cell counts become, your doctor may decide to reduce your dosage or stop you from taking the drug.

Certain medical conditions or circumstances are known as contraindications, and they raise safety concerns about a medication's use. Mycophenolate (CellCept) is not safe for use if you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you. Please inform your healthcare provider of this.

• Allergy to mycophenolic acid, mycophenolate mofetil, or any inactive ingredients in the product.

The Cellcept typically takes six to twelve weeks to begin working. Patients who begin taking this medication should continue to take it as directed. Do not stop taking it or change your dose without talking with your doctor.

When Cellcept is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Take Cellcept two hours before taking an antacid or sevelamer.
• Cellcept can be affected by a variety of medications, including cholestyramine and azathioprine; antiviral medications such as acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, and valganciclovir; antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, norfloxacin, and rifampin; and stomach acid reducers such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, and others.

There are three different oral forms of CellCept: tablets, capsules, and a liquid suspension. An injectable form is also available.

Adults:

The usual dosage for a kidney transplant is 1,000 mg twice daily.

The usual dosage for a liver or heart transplant is 1,500 mg twice daily.

Children three months of age and up: The dosage is determined by the height and weight of your child. 750 mg or 1,000 mg twice a day is the usual dosage.

Depending on how well the drug is working for you and whether you're experiencing any side effects, your doctor may change your dosage. Your doctor will also change your dosage if you have kidney issues after a kidney transplant.

If you miss a dose of Cellcept, take it as soon as you remember, except if it is closer than 2 hours to the next dose. If that’s the case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your normal scheduled time. Avoid taking two doses at once.

Store your Cellcept at room temperature and out of reach of children.

Roche Products Limited is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Cellcept.

There are several lower-cost generic versions available of Cellcept.

There is no specific way to stop taking your Cellcept but it is important to not stop this medication or change your dose without speaking to your healthcare provider.

Taking Cellcept, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy, can result in birth defects or miscarriages. A negative pregnancy test is required both before and during this medication's course of treatment. An effective form of birth control should be used while on Cellcept and for at least 6 weeks (for females) and 3 months (for males) after taking the last dose. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant before starting this medication.

It is not known if Cellcept is found in breast milk or what effects it may have on your breastfed infant. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.