CELLCEPT

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is a prescription medication prescribed to prevent rejection (antirejection medication) in individuals who have undergone kidney, heart, or liver transplantation. Rejection occurs when the body’s immune system perceives the newly transplanted organ as a foreign threat and mounts an attack against it.

No, CellCept is not a chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy drugs function by targeting rapidly dividing cells, a mechanism effective in cancer treatment because cancer cells divide more rapidly than healthy ones. However, chemotherapy drugs cannot distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells.

It is typical not to observe a response or improvement in treatment during the initial 6-12 months. Therefore, maintaining a journal to track your progress can be beneficial. Sometimes, the subtle day-to-day changes may not be readily apparent, but over the course of a year, they may become more noticeable.

Both brand and generic versions of Cellcept are available. The most frequently prescribed version of Cellcept is covered by 84% of insurance plans, with a co-pay ranging from $57.50 to $87.50. By utilizing a GoodRx coupon, mycophenolate can be obtained for as low as $22.00, representing a 93% reduction from the average retail price of $328.52 for the most common version.

Potential side effects include depression, an increased risk of cancer, susceptibility to serious infections, and the potential for pregnancy complications, including fetal development issues (commonly referred to as birth defects) and pregnancy loss.

Organ rejection can occur shortly after the transplant, within days or weeks. However, it can also manifest several years post-transplantation. Thus, it is crucial to continue taking CellCept and other prescribed antirejection medications for the duration recommended by your physician.

Some side effects of mycophenolate mofetil may occur initially but often resolve as your body adjusts to the medication. Your healthcare provider may also offer guidance on ways to prevent or mitigate some of these side effects.

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil)
Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
Generic Status
Lower-cost generic is available
No lower-cost generic available
Lower-cost generic is available
Ratings & Reviews

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is an organ transplant medication. While it is effective, certain foods and supplements may not interact favorably with it. High-fat foods, antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, and processed deli meats are examples. It is advisable to take CellCept either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Weight gain was not reported as a side effect in clinical studies of CellCept. However, fluid retention in the ankles, feet, or legs can occur with this medication, giving the impression of weight gain. Weight gain can also be a potential symptom of organ rejection.

Possible side effects encompass constipation, nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, gas, tremors, dizziness, drowsiness, or difficulty sleeping. If any of these effects persist or worsen, promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist.

No interactions were identified between CellCept and prednisone.

Discontinuing the medication abruptlyunlike some drugs where abrupt discontinuation does not result in severe side effectsdiscontinuing CellCept too rapidly, without a supervised tapering regimen prescribed by your physician, can lead to a myasthenic crisis or exacerbation of myasthenia gravis.

When the immune system malfunctions and begins to attack the body, CellCept can help dampen an excessive immune response. Some medical conditions that can be treated with CellCept include lupus, especially in cases where kidney inflammation is present.

No interactions were found between CellCept and folic acid.

If someone who is not taking mycophenolate administers the drug, that individual should wear gloves to prevent contact with mycophenolate. Mycophenolate can be absorbed through the skin, potentially leading to unintended effects over time.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Cellcept can also effectively prevent inflammation in the eye.

Cellcept is an immunosuppressive medication primarily prescribed for patients with lupus displaying signs of kidney disease. It operates by targeting an enzyme within the body, a protein responsible for specific chemical reactions essential in DNA formation within your cells. In doing so, Cellcept impairs the functioning of your immune system.

No interactions were identified between CellCept and Vitamin D3. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider, as interactions may still exist.

For optimal results, take this medication on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

It may take 6 to 14 months for you to notice improvements from mycophenolate mofetil therapy. Successful treatment with mycophenolate mofetil should lead to gradual enhancements in muscle strength and a reduced need for other medications to manage MG symptoms during this period.

As an immunosuppressive agent, CellCept is also prescribed to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus nephritis, which affects the kidneys. Additionally, it has been explored as a potential alternative to prednisone, a glucocorticoid, for sarcoidosis treatment.

Weight gain was not reported as a side effect in clinical studies of CellCept. However, fluid retention in the ankles, feet, or legs can occur with this drug, leading to the perception of weight gain. Weight gain can also be a potential symptom of organ rejection.

No interactions were found between CellCept and prednisone.

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil)
Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
Generic Status
Lower-cost generic is available
No lower-cost generic available
Lower-cost generic is available
Ratings & Reviews

It is normal not to see a response or any improvement from treatment for the first 6-12 months. For this reason, keeping a diary of your experiences may be helpful. Sometimes, the subtle day-to-day changes may go unnoticed, but over the course of a year, they could become more apparent.

The elimination of medication varies among individuals. In healthy adults, it typically takes up to one week, on average, for most of the mycophenolate to be cleared from the body.

Mycophenolate has been used to treat individuals with lupus, particularly those exhibiting symptoms of kidney disease, as well as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), vasculitis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, inflammatory eye conditions like uveitis (iritis) and scleritis, and certain kidney and skin disorders.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive agent currently being used for the prevention of renal allograft rejection. MMF is a specific inhibitor of lymphocytes and is well tolerated, leading to its use in other autoimmune diseases.

During clinical trials for mycophenolate, researchers observed weight loss and weight gain in some cases, although fewer than 20 percent of participants experienced either side effect. Several MyLupusTeam members reported that mycophenolate did not lead to weight gain.