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What is CellCept
 CellCept
is an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants decrease the actions
of your body's immune system.
CellCept
is used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney, liver,
or heart transplant. It is usually combined with cyclosporine
(Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication.
CellCept
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about CellCept
Therapy with CellCept may increase your risk of infection
and the development of lymphoma and other types of cancer.
Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fever or chills,
a sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores,
abdominal pain, pale stools, or darkened urine. These symptoms
could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
CellCept
has caused birth defects in animals, and therefore is not
recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor may ask
that you have a pregnancy test with negative results within
1 week of starting therapy with CellCept. Birth control
must be used before starting treatment, during treatment,
and for six weeks following treatment with CellCept, unless
abstinence is the chosen method or if you have had a hysterectomy.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or if you are thinking about
becoming pregnant.
Do not open the capsules or crush
or chew the tablets. Do not inhale the powder, or allow
the powder or suspension to come in contact with your skin,
eyes, or mucous membranes. If contact with the skin, eyes
or mucous membranes occurs, wash your skin with soap and
water and rinse your eyes with plain water.
Tell
your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before having surgery, before starting any other medicines,
and before receiving any vaccinations.
CellCept may
increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Limit exposure
to sunlight and UV light by wearing protective clothing
and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF).
What you should find out before taking CellCept Before taking CellCept, tell your doctor if you have:
- a stomach ulcer or other stomach disease;
-
a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or
- a rare
hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase
(HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan and Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.
You may not be able to take CellCept, or you may
require a lower dose or special monitoring if you have any
of the conditions listed above.
Before taking the
CellCept Oral Suspension, tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.
This product contains aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine.
CellCept is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This
means that it is not known whether CellCept will harm an
unborn baby. CellCept has caused birth defects in animals,
and therefore is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Your doctor may ask that you have a pregnancy test with
negative results within 1 week of starting therapy with
CellCept. Birth control must be used before starting treatment,
during treatment, and for six weeks following treatment
with CellCept, unless abstinence is the chosen method or
if you have had a hysterectomy. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or if you are thinking about becoming pregnant.
It
is not known whether CellCept passes into breast milk. Do
not take CellCept without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take CellCept Take CellCept exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Take
each dose with a full glass of water.
Take CellCept
on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
CellCept
is usually taken twice a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose.
Use the dose-measuring device supplied by your pharmacist
to measure a dose of the suspension.
Do not open
the capsules or crush or chew the tablets. Do not inhale
the powder, or allow the powder or suspension to come in
contact with your skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. If contact
with the skin, eyes or mucous membranes occurs, wash your
skin with soap and water and rinse your eyes with plain
water.
Therapy with CellCept may increase your risk
of infection and the development of lymphoma and other types
of cancer. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
fever or chills, a sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising,
mouth sores, abdominal pain, pale stools, or darkened urine.
These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Store CellCept at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. The suspension can be stored in the refrigerator,
however this is not necessary. Do not allow the suspension
to freeze. Throw away any unused suspension after 60 days.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed, and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
Notify your doctor if you
miss a dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a CellCept overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
and unusual bleeding or bruising.
Avoid while taking CellCept Avoid sources of infection. CellCept decreases your
body's immune system, and you are more susceptible to infection.
Notify your doctor at the first sign of fever, chills, or
a sore throat.
Tell your doctor and dentist that
you are taking this medication before having surgery, before
starting any other medicines, and before receiving any vaccinations.
CellCept may increase the risk of developing skin
cancer. Limit exposure to sunlight and UV light by wearing
protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection
factor (SPF).
Possible side effects of CellCept If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking CellCept and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- unusual tiredness or weakness;
- cough,
hoarseness, a sore throat, fever, or chills;
- painful
or difficult urination;
- severe nausea, vomiting,
or diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- pale stools
or darkened urine;
- unusual bleeding or bruising;
or
- a sudden unusual feeling of discomfort or illness.
Other, less serious side effects may also occur.
Continue to take CellCept and notify your doctor if you
experience
- upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- mild weakness;
- tremor or dizziness;
- headache;
-
insomnia;
- swelling of the feet or lower legs; or
- a skin rash.
Treatment with CellCept increases
the risk of cancer of the immune system.
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect CellCept Before taking CellCept, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following medicines:
- another
immunosuppressant medicine such as azathioprine (Imuran),
tacrolimus (Prograf), or daclizumab (Zenapax);
-
cholestyramine (Questran);
- an antacid (prescription
or over the counter);
- acyclovir (Zovirax) or ganciclovir
(Cytovene);
- probenecid (Benemid);
- phenytoin
(Dilantin);
- theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron,
Theolair, others); or
- any type of vaccination.
You may not be able to take CellCept, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you
are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with CellCept.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
