Treatment FAQ

what to expect with treatment of cellcept

by Dr. Moriah Thiel IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Some people taking CELLCEPT may have an inflammatory reaction with fever, joint stiffness, joint pain, and muscle pain. Some of these reactions may require hospitalization. This reaction could happen within weeks to months after your treatment with CELLCEPT starts or if your dose is increased.

Precautions

It’s also common for people to have signs of decreased white blood cells ( leukopenia) on their blood tests when they are taking CellCept. Rarely, CellCept has caused serious gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastric ulcers and perforations are other rare risks.

What are the side effects of CellCept?

However, as soon as you’re able to swallow CellCept capsules, tablets, or liquid, your doctor will likely stop giving you the infusion form. CellCept and Prograf have some similar side effects and others that vary. Below are examples of these side effects.

When can I stop taking Cellcept?

It can take up to 12 weeks for CellCept to start working to help prevent organ rejection. If you aren’t having any symptoms of organ rejection, you may not notice CellCept working in your body. However, it’s important that you keep taking CellCept even if you don’t notice that it’s working.

How long does it take for CellCept to work?

Some of the medical conditions that can be treated with CellCept are: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (such as Crohn’s disease) CellCept can also be combined with other immunosuppressant therapies to treat autoimmune conditions.

What medical conditions can be treated with Cellcept?

image

How long does it take to adjust to CellCept?

It may take 8-12 weeks before you start to feel better. Your doctor may need to adjust the amount of medicine you take.

What happens when you take CellCept?

Taking CellCept can raise your risk for serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. In rare cases, serious infections that happen while taking CellCept can lead to a hospital stay or death. Cancers. Taking CellCept may increase your risk for certain types of cancers, including lymphoma and skin cancer.

What are the most common side effects of CellCept?

Constipation, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, gas, tremor, dizziness, drowsiness, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Does CellCept make you weak?

low levels of sodium in the body with severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or.

Is CellCept a strong immunosuppressant?

Mycophenolate mofetil, Cellcept, a new immunosuppressive drug with great potential in internal medicine.

Is CellCept considered chemotherapy?

No, mycophenolate (CellCept) is not chemotherapy. Medications known as chemotherapy work by stopping the growth of fast growing cancer cells. Mycophenolate (CellCept) works on lymphocytes (white blood cells) to lower the activity of your immune system.

Can I take prednisone and CellCept at the same time?

Oftentimes, physicians combine the cellcept with a prescription of prednisone. Both of these medicines are prescribed to combat the inflammation occurring in our lungs from the fibrosis, and can be used to treat other autoimmune diseases as well.

Does CellCept help inflammation?

As an immunosuppressive, CellCept is also prescribed to treat such autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus nephritis (lupus that affects the kidneys). It has also been investigated as a potential alternative to prednisone, a glucocorticoid, for the treatment of sarcoidosis.

What are the long term side effects of mycophenolate?

Commonly reported side effects of mycophenolate mofetil include: asthma, herpes simplex infection, infection, metabolic acidosis, oral candidiasis, pleural effusion, respiratory tract infection, systemic cytomegalovirus disease, urinary tract infection, viremia, abdominal pain, acne vulgaris, anemia, anxiety, asthenia, ...

Can CellCept cause confusion?

CELLCEPT may influence your ability to drive and use machines (See “What are the possible side effects of CELLCEPT?”). If you experience drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, tremor, or low blood pressure during treatment with CELLCEPT, you should be cautious about driving or using heavy machines.

Can you drink coffee with mycophenolate?

aspirin-caffeine oral will increase the level or effect of mycophenolate mofetil oral by acidic drugs competing for the same pathway through the kidney. Monitor CloselyUse Caution/Monitor.

Can mycophenolate make you tired?

you should know that mycophenolate may make you drowsy, confused, dizzy, lightheaded, or cause uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body.

Is CellCept chemotherapy?

No, CellCept isn’t a chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy drugs work by destroying all cells that are growing quickly. This works in cancer treatment be...

Will I have any side effects when I stop taking CellCept?

Possibly. If you stop taking CellCept suddenly, you may have a serious side effect called organ rejection. This occurs when the immune system attac...

Can CellCept be used to treat lupus?

Yes, CellCept may be used off-label to treat lupus. This means CellCept isn’t FDA-approved to treat lupus. However, clinical guidelines recommend u...

Does CellCept cause weight gain?

Possibly. Weight gain wasn’t a side effect reported in clinical studies of CellCept. However, swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs can occur with...

Can I drive while taking CellCept?

You may be able to drive while taking CellCept. However, you should understand how the drug affects you before driving. CellCept can cause symptoms...

Can I donate blood during my CellCept treatment?

No, you shouldn’t donate blood while taking CellCept. You also shouldn’t donate semen while taking this drug. To learn more, see the “CellCept prec...

What are the side effects of CellCept?

Some of the more common side effects of CellCept include: 1 Stomach problems like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting 2 Blood pressure problems 3 Swelling of the legs and feet 4 Rash 5 Headache 2

When to give CellCept?

CellCept should be used only after you have received an organ transplant or after you have been diagnosed with a medical condition for which it is prescribed off-label. The first dose is usually given within the first 24 hours of the transplant.

What is the name of the immunosuppressant that is used in place of Prograf?

Prograf (tacrolimus) Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) CellCept is also used in place of certain immunosuppressants. For example, you might have a choice about whether to use CellCept instead of another immunosuppressant called Imuran (azathioprine). 1.

How to store CellCept?

How to Take and Store. CellCept tablets or liquid form can be stored at room temperature. 6 Take the exact number of tablets that your doctor has prescribed for you. If you are taking the liquid version of CellCept, measure out the correct amount with the oral dispenser that comes with your prescription.

How much CellCept is in a pill?

CellCept is available as oral capsules of 250 milligrams (mg) or oral tablets of 500 mg. 2 It can also be taken orally in a liquid form or dispensed via an intravenous line. A standard dose is generally between 1 gram and 1.5 grams (1,000 mg to 1,500 mg), taken twice a day.

What is CellCept used for?

An Overview of Organ Transplants. CellCept is sometimes used to treat certain autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, vasculitis , and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The drug can be taken orally as a tablet or liquid or through an intravenous (IV) line. ljubaphoto/ E+/ Getty Images.

Why is CellCept prescribed?

Autoimmune Conditions. CellCept is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat medical conditions that involve the immune system. It is important to treat autoimmune conditions that cannot be reversed in other ways. When the immune system is not working correctly, the body might start attacking itself.

How does CellCept work?

How CellCept works. CellCept is FDA-approved to help prevent organ rejection after a heart, kidney, or liver transplant in adults. (Organ rejection occurs when the immune system attacks a transplanted organ.) CellCept is an immunosuppressant (a drug that weakens your immune system).

What age is CellCept approved?

CellCept is approved to help prevent organ rejection in children ages 3 months and older after a kidney transplant. (Organ rejection occurs when the immune system attacks a transplanted organ.)

How often do you take Prograf?

The capsule forms of both drugs are typically taken twice per day. Both types of infusions are given by your doctor.

What is cellept used for?

CellCept is indicated for use in combination with other immunosuppressants to help prevent organ rejection in adults who’ve had a heart, liver, or kidney transplant. It’s also indicated to help prevent organ rejection in children ages 3 months and older who’ve had a kidney transplant.

How long does it take for a cellept to expire?

When you get CellCept from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

How is cellept metabolized?

CellCept is metabolized (broken down) in the body by a process called glucuronidation. Other medications that affect this process can slow the breakdown of CellCept in your body. This could raise your blood levels of CellCept and increase your risk for side effects from CellCept. (For more information on the drug’s side effects, see “ CellCept side effects ” above.)

Is CellCept safe for children?

Side effects in children. CellCept is FDA-approved to help prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant in children ages 3 months and older. In clinical studies, certain side effects occurred more often in children who took CellCept than in adults. Side effects that were more common in children include:

What is Cellcept?

Cellcept works in MG by suppressing the immune system. Normally, having a strong immune system is a positive factor in overall health. However, for people with MG, the immune system is overactive, leading to a variety of symptoms.

What are the precautions?

Overall, Cellcept is considered safer than some other immunomodulating drugs. However, it still comes equipped with various health warnings. In the United States, these precautions are referred to as “Boxed Warnings”. Some of these alerts include: 2

Starting treatment

Cellcept may be considered for those who don’t achieve a benefit from a drug called pyridostigmine. Sometimes, it can be used in addition to pyridostigmine. 3.

Coping with Prednisone

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Myasthenia-Gravis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Community Poll

Have you found it difficult to discuss your diagnosis or symptoms with loved ones?

What is Cellcept?

Cellcept is a prescription medicine to prevent rejection (antirejection medicine) in people who have received a kidney, heart or liver transplant. Rejection is when the body's immune system perceives the new organ as a "foreign" threat and attacks it.

Who should not take Cellcept?

Do not take Cellcept if you are allergic to mycophenolate mofetil or any of the ingredients in Cellcept. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Cellcept.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Cellcept?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

General Information about the safe and effective use of Cellcept

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use Cellcept for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Cellcept to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

How should I store Cellcept?

Store Cellcept capsules and tablets at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).

What are the ingredients in Cellcept?

Capsules: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone (K-90) and pregelatinized starch. The capsule shells contain black iron oxide, FD&C blue #2, gelatin, red iron oxide, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.

Instructions for use for Cellcept Oral Suspension

Always use the oral dispenser provided with Cellcept Oral Suspension to make sure you measure the right amount of medicine.

What are the side effects of taking mycophenolate?

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking mycophenolate mofetil: More common. Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain. black, tarry stools. bladder pain. bleeding gums. bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet. blood in the urine or stools. bloody or cloudy urine.

Does CellCept have side effects?

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, mycophenolate mofetil (the active ingredient contained in CellCept) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Does mycophenolate mofetil need medical attention?

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of mycophenolate mofetil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

4 Answers

Hello, not sure what side effects you are having. I was on cell cept for my disease. I had no side effects except, not sure which, but either liver or kidney affected and was not seeing the results I had hoped for which was to reduce my prednisone. I was on it six months or so.

Search for questions

Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.

Most voted positive review

CellCept replaced prednisone as treatment for autoimmune hepatitus after finding I was allergic to all normal treatments for this disease. I have had no adverse effects.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD.

image

Uses

Mycophenolate is used in combination with other medications to keep your body from attacking and rejecting your transplanted organ (such as kidney, liver, heart).

May Treat: Cardiac transplant rejection · Kidney transplant rejection · Liver transplant rejection

Drug Class: DMARD - Immunosuppressives · Immunosuppressive - Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult your doctor. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.

Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers

May Treat: Cardiac transplant rejection · Kidney transplant rejection · Liver transplant rejection

Drug Class: DMARD - Immunosuppressives · Immunosuppressive - Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult your doctor. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.

Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers

Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication

Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution

Manufacturer: GENENTECH, INC.

Precautions

  • Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
  • Call MD for fatigue/sore throat/infection/bleeding
  • Avoid pregnancy, causing pregnancy or nursing.

  • Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
  • Call MD for fatigue/sore throat/infection/bleeding
  • Avoid pregnancy, causing pregnancy or nursing.
  • May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution
  • May reduce effectiveness of hormone contraceptives
  • Avoid sun lamps/prolonged direct sun
  • Use sunscreen
  • Report change in thinking /vision/balance/speech
  • For capsule products : Swallow whole. Do not break/chew/crush/dissolve.
  • For suspension, reconstituted, oral products : Shake well & measure with dosing spoon/cup/syringe.

Before Taking

Dosage

Side Effects

Warnings and Interactions

Image
In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CellCept as an immunosuppressant therapy to be used after a kidney transplant.2Today it is specifically approved to be used for kidney, heart, or liver transplants. Someone who has received an organ transplant needs to be on lifelong therapies that suppr…
See more on verywellhealth.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9