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| Drug Class: What is CellCept ? an why is it prescribed? |
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| CellCept (Mycophenolate mofetil) is a medication used to decrease the immune system\'s response to a transplanted organ, which the body would otherwise see as foreign.
Cellcept reduces unwanted immune responses and helps to prevent rejection in patients who receive organ or bone marrow transplants.
Cellcept also can be used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
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| Cellcept Mechanism: How does CellCept work? |
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| Cellcept contains the active ingredient mycophenolate mofetil, which belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants. Cellcept reduces the body\'s immune response. Cellcept is broken down in the body to the active medicine called mycophenolic acid.
The immune system normally protects the body from foreign cells and infections by producing antibodies to fight them. A transplanted organ can be attacked by the immune system, as the body as a foreign substance recognizes it. This is known as \"transplant rejection\".
Cellcept works by blocking the action of a compound called inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is required for producing certain blood cells called T- and B-lymphocytes. These are immune cells that are responsible for regulating and triggering immune responses and thereby providing a defense against infection and foreign cells in the body.
By reducing the production of these cells, Cellcept makes the body less likely to reject foreign material such as transplanted organs.
Cellcept is used together with other immunosuppressive medicines (cyclosporine and corticosteroids) as part of the transplant regimen to prevent rejection of heart, kidney and liver transplants. |
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| Cellcept Dosage: How should you take CellCept |
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| Take Cellcept capsules and tablets by mouth on an empty stomach.
Swallow Cellcept capsules or tablets with a drink of water. Do not open the capsules. Avoid contact with the contents of the capsules. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
For prevention of rejection of transplanted heart:
Adults
1.5 grams (six capsules) of Cellcept two times a day.
For prevention of rejection of transplanted kidney:
Adults
1 gram (four capsules) of Cellcept two times a day.
For prevention of rejection of transplanted liver:
Adults
1.5 grams (six capsules) of Cellcept two times a day.
If you miss a Cellcept dose
If you miss a Cellcept dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses of Cellcept.
Cellcept Overdose
Cellcept overdose can lead to serious consequences. Seek medical emergency immediately.
Symptoms of Cellcept overdose include
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea, and
• unusual bleeding or bruising.
Cellcept Storage instructions
Keep Cellcept out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store Cellcept in a cool, dry place. Throw away any unused amount of Cellcept after the expiration date.
Preparations: Capsule -250mg, 500mg |
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| Possible food and drug interactions when taking CellCept |
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| The following medicines reduce the absorption of Cellcept from the gut and therefore reduce its blood level:
- antacids (indigestion remedies)
- colestyramine.
If patients with decreased kidney function take any of the following medicines in combination with Cellcept, the blood levels of both medicines may be higher than normal and patients should be closely monitored:
- aciclovir
- valaciclovir
- ganciclovir
- valganciclovir.
The body\'s response to vaccination is reduced by medicines such as Cellcept, which suppress the immune system and prevent the body forming adequate antibodies. Therefore, vaccines may less effective in people taking Cellcept. Live vaccines may cause infection in people taking Cellcept, and these should therefore be avoided. Live vaccines include the following: oral polio; rubella; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); BCG; yellow fever and oral typhoid vaccines.
The manufacturer of Cellcept recommends that it should not be used in combination with azathioprine, as they have not studied the effect of this combination.
Special Information on Cellcept
Most Important Fact about Cellcept
Cellcept may increase your risk for certain types of skin cancer. To decrease your risk, were protective clothing, including hats, and use sunscreen with a high protection factor when exposed to the sun. Avoid using tanning beds.
Cellcept precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Cellcept has not been studied in pregnant women. However, Cellcept causes birth defects in animals, and it may cause birth defects in people too. If you are taking Cellcept, you should use two forms of reliable birth control before beginning treatment with Cellcept, while being treated with Cellcept, and for at least 6 weeks after discontinuing Cellcept.
It is not known whether Cellcept passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them can be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking Cellcept and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Special warnings about Cellcept
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need frequent blood checks during the first few months you are receiving Cellcept capsules.
Cellcept will decrease your body\'s ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Cellcept may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding.
After you stop taking Cellcept, side effects can continue. Some side effects may not occur until years after Cellcept was taken. These effects can include the development of certain types of cancer. Discuss this possibility with your prescriber or health care professional.
Cellcept may increase your risk for certain types of skin cancer. To decrease your risk, were protective clothing, including hats, and use sunscreen with a high protection factor when exposed to the sun. Avoid using tanning beds.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis KT), or naproxen (Aleve) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
Your blood sugar may increase. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you are diabetic and notice a change in your blood sugar level. |
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| Special information on CellCept |
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| Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need frequent blood checks during the first few months you are receiving Cellcept capsules.
Cellcept will decrease your body\'s ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Cellcept may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding.
After you stop taking Cellcept, side effects can continue. Some side effects may not occur until years after Cellcept was taken. These effects can include the development of certain types of cancer. Discuss this possibility with your prescriber or health care professional.
Cellcept may increase your risk for certain types of skin cancer. To decrease your risk, were protective clothing, including hats, and use sunscreen with a high protection factor when exposed to the sun. Avoid using tanning beds.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis KT), or naproxen (Aleve) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
Your blood sugar may increase. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you are diabetic and notice a change in your blood sugar level. |
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| CellCept side effects |
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| Why Cellcept should not be prescribed?
Cellcept should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Cellcept and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Possible Cellcept Side effects
More common side effects of Cellcept may include:
• blood in the urine,
• chest pain,
• cough or hoarseness,
• fever or chills ,
• increased cough,
• lower back or side pain,
• painful or difficult urination ,
• shortness of breath,
• swelling of feet or lower legs
Less common side effects of Cellcept may include:
• abdominal pain,
• black, tarry stools,
• bloody vomit,
• enlarged gums,
• irregular heartbeat,
• joint pain,
• muscle pain,
• pinpoint red spots on the skin,
• red, inflamed, bleeding gums,
• sores inside mouth, trembling or shaking of hands or feet,
• unusual bleeding or bruising,
• white patches on the mouth, tongue, or throat |
Drug Class: What is CellCept ? an why is it prescribed?
