CellCept is used for:
Preventing organ rejection following kidney, liver, or heart transplants. CellCept is used in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
CellCept is an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the activity of certain cells that make up part of the immune system to help reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection.
Do NOT use CellCept if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in CellCept
• you are taking azathioprine, cholestyramine, colestipol, or mycophenolate mofetil
• you are taking norfloxacin and metronidazole together
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using CellCept :
Some medical conditions may interact with CellCept . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have immune system problems or have been taking another medicine to suppress your immune system
• if you have stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers), kidney problems, or a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome
• if you are scheduled for a vaccination
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with CellCept . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Acyclovir, azathioprine, ganciclovir, mycophenolate mofetil, or probenecid because they may increase CellCept 's actions and the risk of CellCept 's side effects
• Antacids, calcium-free phosphate binders (eg, sevelamer), cholestyramine, colestipol, iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate), norfloxacin along with metronidazole, or rifampin because they may decrease CellCept 's effectiveness
• Oral contraceptives because their effectiveness may be decreased by CellCept
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if CellCept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use CellCept :
Use CellCept as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• Take CellCept by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Swallow CellCept whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• If you take an antacid that has aluminum or magnesium in it, an iron salt (eg, ferrous fumarate), or a calcium-free phosphate binder (eg, sevelamer), ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with CellCept .
• If you miss a dose of CellCept , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use CellCept .
Important safety information:
• CellCept may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use CellCept with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Women who may become pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week before starting CellCept .
• Women who may become pregnant must use 2 effective forms of birth control for 4 weeks before they start CellCept , during treatment, and for 6 weeks after they stop CellCept . Check with your doctor if you have any questions about effective birth control.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are taking CellCept . Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• CellCept may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma, skin cancer). Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths while you take CellCept . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Some patients treated with CellCept have developed a severe and sometimes fatal effect called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of PML. These may include confusion or disorientation; changes in thinking, strength, or vision; one-sided weakness; trouble walking or talking; or loss of balance or coordination.
• CellCept may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking CellCept . Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
• Proper dental care is important while you are taking CellCept . Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use CellCept . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use CellCept with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially infection, stomach or intestinal bleeding, and trouble breathing.
• Caution is advised when using CellCept in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: CellCept may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if CellCept is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking CellCept .
Possible side effects of CellCept :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Acne; anxiety; back pain; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; increased hair growth; indigestion; loss of appetite; mild or moderate stomach pain; muscle cramps; muscle or joint pain; nausea; pain in arms or legs; shakiness; sleeplessness; tremor; vomiting; weight gain or changes in body fat.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; bloody or black stools; change in the amount of urine produced; changes in balance, strength, speech, or vision; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; enlarged lymph nodes; enlarged stomach; fainting; fever, chills, cough, or sore throat; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes (eg, abnormal thinking); night sweats; one-sided weakness; pounding in the chest; severe vomiting or stomach pain; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; skin growths; stiff neck; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen glands; symptoms of urinary tract infection (eg, difficult, frequent, or painful urination; lower stomach or back pain); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps or growths; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual weight loss; vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Proper storage of CellCept :
Store CellCept at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep CellCept out of the reach of children and away from pets.