CellCept Side Effects
CellCept | Mycophenolate has been shown to cause common side effects in adults, such as:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- pain
- pain in the stomach area
- swelling of the lower legs, ankles, and feet
- hypertension
CellCept has been shown to cause these common side effects in pediatric patients:
- stomach area pain
- fever
- infection
- pain
- sepsis or blood infection
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- sore throat
- colds or respiratory tract infections
- hypertension
- low white blood cell count
- low red blood cell count
CellCept has also been shown to cause serious side effects, such as:
- Low blood cell counts
- Stomach and intestinal bleeding in patients who take higher dosages
Warnings & Recalls for CellCept
CellCept has received a boxed warning due to its immunosuppression qualities. This medication may cause an increase risk for infections, as well as the risk for developing
lymphoma.Patients who are pregnant should also use a contraceptive while using CellCept, as this medication can lead to an increased risk for pregnancy lost and malformations in the fetus.Patients with an increased risk for skin cancer, or patients who receive higher exposure to sunlight or UV rays, should wear high-protective sunscreen and clothing while using this medication.
CellCept Treatment and Use
CellCept | Mycophenolate is an immunosuppressive agent manufactured by Genentech as a tablet, capsule, oral suspension, and intravenous injection. CellCept lowers the body’s immune system, and inhibits the body’s inflammatory response. This enables the body to more readily accept organ transplants, and prevents the immune system from attacking new organs.
CellCept | Mycophenolate is indicated for use in patients who have had the following organ transplants:
CellCept should be used in conjunction with corticosteroid and cyclosporine medications.
CellCept has also been used off-label for the treatment of lupus nephritis, a disease in which the the immune system attacks the body and causes serious inflammation of the kidneys.
CellCept Dosage
The following dosages are indicated for the use of pediatric (age 3 months to 18 years) and adult patients who have undergone kidney transplantation:
Pediatric:
- Oral suspension | 600 mg/m² administered twice daily (maximum daily dose of 2 g/10 ml)
- Capsules | 750 mg twice daily for patients with a body surface area of 1.25 m² to 1.5 m² (1.5 g daily dose)
- Capsules or tablets | 1 g twice daily for patients with body surface area greater than 1.5 m² (2 g daily dose)
Adults:
- Orally or intravenously | 1 g twice a day (daily dose 2 g) over no less than 2 hours
The following dosage is indicated for the use of adult patients who have undergone heart transplantation:
- Intravenously or orally | 1.5 g over no less than 2 hours (daily dose of 3 g)
The following dosage is indicated for the use of adult patients who have undergone liver transplantation:
- Intravenously | 1 g over no less than 2 hours
- Orally | 1.5 g (daily dose of 3 g)
CellCept Intravenous should be administered within a 24 hour timeframe after the transplantation has occurred, and can be administered for up to 14 days following surgery. CellCept Intravenous should be switched for CellCept oral as soon as the patient is able to take oral medications.
