What is the most important information I should know about
Cellcept?
* This medication can lower the blood cells that help your body fight
infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or
get sick from being around others who are ill. You may also have an
increased risk of certain forms of cancer. To be sure your blood cells
do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular
basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your
doctor.
* Cellcept products may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if
you have pheynlketonuria (PKU), or if you otherwise need to restrict
your intake of phenylalanine.
* Cellcept has caused birth defects in animals, and there may be a
similar risk in humans. Do not use Cellcept if you are pregnant. Tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. To make sure you
are not pregnant before using mycophenolate, you may need to have a
pregnancy test within 1 week before your treatment starts.
* Unless you have had a hysterectomy, you must use effective birth
control to keep from getting pregnant while using this medication.
Birth control is recommended even if you have have been infertile
(unable to get pregnant) in the past. Use two effective non-hormonal
forms of birth control (condoms, diaphragm, or spermicides) while you
are using Cellcept and for at least 6 weeks after your treatment ends.
* Do not open the medicine capsule or crush or chew a tablet. Do not
use a pill that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a
crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth,
or nose, or on your skin. If it does come in contact with these areas,
wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken
tablet or capsule.
* If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to
temporarily stop using Cellcept. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of
time that you are using this medicaton.
* 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 is Cellcept?
* Cellcept lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps
your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or
"reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is
because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
* Cellcept is used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney,
liver, or heart transplant. This medication is usually given with
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and a steroid medication.
* Cellcept may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Cellcept?
* Before using Cellcept, tell your doctor if you have:
· a stomach ulcer or other disorders of your stomach or intestines;
· an allergy to a drug preservative called polysorbate 80 (also called
Tween) if you are going to be treated with Cellcept injection;
· kidney 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.
* If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
Cellcept, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during
treatment.
* Cellcept products may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if
you have pheynlketonuria (PKU), or if you otherwise need to restrict
your intake of phenylalanine.
* Cellcept has caused birth defects in animals, and there may be a
similar risk in humans. Do not use Cellcept if you are pregnant. Tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. To make sure you
are not pregnant before using mycophenolate, you may need to have a
pregnancy test within 1 week before your treatment starts.
* Unless you have had a hysterectomy, you must use effective birth
control to keep from getting pregnant while using this medication.
Birth control is recommended even if you have have been infertile
(unable to get pregnant) in the past. Use two effective non-hormonal
forms of birth control (condoms, diaphragm, or spermicides) while you
are using Cellcept and for at least 6 weeks after your treatment ends.
* It is not known whether Cellcept passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Cellcept without telling your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Cellcept?
* Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not
use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer
than recommended by your doctor.
* Cellcept is usually given twice a day. Follow your doctor's
instructions. The injection form of this medication is given through a
needle placed into a vein. The injection is usually given within 24
hours after your transplant. You may be given the injection for up to
14 days before you switch to the oral (pill) form of Cellcept.
* Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.
* Take Cellcept oral medication on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or
2 hours after a meal unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
* Shake the Cellcept oral suspension (liquid) well just before you
measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid
with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
for one.
* Do not open the Cellcept capsule or crush or chew a tablet. Do not
use a pill that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a
crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth,
or nose, or on your skin. If it does come in contact with these areas,
wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken
tablet or capsule.
* This medication can lower the blood cells that help your body fight
infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or
get sick from being around others who are ill. You may also have an
increased risk of certain forms of cancer. To be sure your blood cells
do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular
basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your
doctor.
* Store Cellcept at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The
oral suspension may be stored at room temperature or in the
refrigerator. Do not allow the suspension to freeze. Throw away any
unused suspension after 60 days.
What happens if I miss a dose?
* Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the
next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up
the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
* Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
* Symptoms of a Cellcept overdose may include nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, unusual bleeding or bruising, and signs of infection.
What should I avoid while using Cellcept?
* Use two forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are
using this medication, and for at least 6 weeks after your treatment
ends. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
* Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other
contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop
signs of infection.
* Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with
this medication. The vaccine may not be as effective in your body.
* If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to
temporarily stop using Cellcept. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of
time that you are using this medicaton.
* Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or
tanning beds). Cellcept can increase your risk of skin cancer. Use a
sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be
out in the sun.
What are the possible side effects of Cellcept?
* Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
* Stop using Cellcept and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
· easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
· coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
· bloody, black, or tarry stools;
· painful or difficult urination; or
· numbness or tingly feeling.
* Continue using Cellcept and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
· upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
· diarrhea or constipation;
· mild weakness;
· tremor or dizziness;
· anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
· swelling of the feet or lower legs; or
· a skin rash.
* 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 using Cellcept, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
· other medicines that weaken the immune system, such as azathioprine
(Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or
daclizumab (Zenapax);
· cholestyramine (Questran);
· an antacid (prescription or over-the-counter); or
· acyclovir (Zovirax), ganciclovir (Cytovene), or valacyclovir (Valtrex).
* If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
Cellcept or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during
treatment.
* There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Cellcept. Tell
your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about Cellcept written for health professionals that you may read.
* Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
* Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and
complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information
contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been
compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside
of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated
otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers
viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way
should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is
safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not
assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered
with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained
herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions,
precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or
adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.