CellCept (Mycophenolate Mofetil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is CellCept Used For?
CellCept is an immunosuppressant medication that helps prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
Primary Uses
CellCept is used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs such as kidney, liver, or heart transplants.
How It Works
CellCept works by stopping your immune system from reacting to the transplanted organ. It may be taken together with other medicines like cyclosporin and corticosteroids.
How to Take CellCept
Take CellCept exactly as your doctor has prescribed. It’s important to take doses approximately 12 hours apart for the best effect.
Dosage Instructions
For capsules and tablets: The usual dose is 1g to 1.5g in the morning and 1g to 1.5g at night (2g to 3g per day). For suspension: Adults take 5mL or 7.5mL twice daily. Children (2-18 years, kidney transplant only): Dose depends on height and weight, maximum 1g twice daily. Swallow capsules and tablets whole with water – do not crush or open them. For suspension, use the provided dispenser and shake well before each use.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- nausea
- vomiting
- indigestion
- stomach, chest, muscle or back pain
- headache
- urinary infections
- acne
- hair loss
- itchy skin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- signs of infections (fevers, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers, abdominal pain, bloody stools)
- unexpected bruising or bleeding
- signs of anemia (excessive tiredness, dizziness, looking pale)
- swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lymph nodes
- inability to sleep
- allergic reactions (chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, skin rash, itching, hives)
- breathing difficulties, chest pain, chronic cough with blood
Important Warnings
CellCept has several important warnings and contraindications that you must discuss with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take CellCept
Do not take CellCept if you are allergic to mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are a woman who could become pregnant and are not using two reliable forms of contraception.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: history of skin cancer or sun spots, low white blood cell counts, serious stomach or bowel problems, rare enzyme deficiency diseases (Lesch-Nyhan or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome), kidney disease, or phenylketonuria.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
CellCept is harmful to unborn babies and can cause miscarriage and severe birth defects. Women must use two reliable forms of contraception before, during, and for 6 weeks after treatment. Men should use condoms during treatment and for 90 days after stopping. CellCept passes into breast milk and can harm nursing babies.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of side effects due to immunosuppression.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with CellCept and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- azathioprine, tacrolimus and sirolimus (immune system suppressants)
- acyclovir, ganciclovir, valaciclovir or valganciclovir (antiviral medicines)
- isavuconazole (antifungal medicine)
- antacids (for heartburn)
- cholestyramine (for high cholesterol)
- ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, norfloxacin plus metronidazole and rifampicin (antibiotics)
- iron supplements
- live vaccines
- proton-pump inhibitors like lansoprazole and pantoprazole
- telmisartan (for high blood pressure)
- calcium-free phosphate binders like sevelamer
Alcohol & Driving
CellCept may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking CellCept.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how CellCept affects you, especially if you experience drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, tremor, or low blood pressure.
Temperature Regulation
Wear protective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors, as medicines that prevent organ rejection can increase the risk of skin cancers.
Storage
Store CellCept capsules and tablets in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Keep suspension below 30°C (may be refrigerated but not frozen). Suspension expires 60 days after water is added. Keep in original packaging until ready to use and store away from children’s reach.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much CellCept, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
CellCept should be taken every day for as long as your doctor tells you. It’s important to keep taking CellCept to ensure your transplanted organ keeps working properly.
The source doesn’t specify food restrictions, but you should take CellCept at the same time each day, approximately 12 hours apart for the best effect.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, do not stop taking CellCept without first checking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly could put your transplanted organ at risk of rejection.
Medicines that prevent organ rejection can increase the risk of skin cancers. You should wear protective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors.
No, you should not donate blood while taking CellCept and for at least 6 weeks after you stop taking it.
If a capsule breaks open accidentally or suspension gets on your skin, wash any powder or liquid off your skin thoroughly with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with plain water.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.