Ceptolate (Mycophenolate Mofetil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ceptolate Used For?
Ceptolate contains mycophenolate mofetil and belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants. It is specifically designed to help transplant patients keep their new organs healthy.
Primary Uses
Ceptolate is used to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ. It may be used together with other medicines such as ciclosporin and corticosteroids.
How It Works
Immunosuppressants work by stopping your immune system from reacting to the transplanted organ, which helps prevent rejection.
Good to know: Ceptolate is not addictive.
How to Take Ceptolate
Take Ceptolate exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day based on your specific needs.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: The usual dose is 1g to 1.5g in the morning and 1g to 1.5g at night (2g to 3g per day) depending on which organ has been transplanted. Children (2-18 years, renal transplant only): The dose depends on the child’s height and weight, with a maximum of usually 1g in the morning and 1g at night (2g daily). Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush the tablets. Take doses approximately 12 hours apart at the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking each dose normally.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
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:
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- indigestion
- stomach, chest or back pain
- headache
- urinary infections
- acne
- hair loss or 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 anaemia (excessive tiredness, dizziness, looking pale)
- swelling of hands, ankles, feet or lymph nodes
- inability to sleep (insomnia)
- 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
There are several important situations where Ceptolate should not be used, and conditions that require special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Ceptolate
Do not take Ceptolate if you are allergic to mycophenolate mofetil or any ingredients; if you are pregnant (harmful to unborn baby with risk of miscarriage and birth defects); if you are breastfeeding (can pass into breast milk); if you are a woman who could become pregnant and not using two reliable forms of contraception; or if the package is torn or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: history of sun spots or skin cancers; history of low blood counts of neutrophils; history of serious stomach or bowel problems; rare diseases due to HGPRT enzyme deficiency; kidney disease; or allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women of childbearing potential must have two negative pregnancy tests 8-10 days apart before starting treatment. Must use two reliable forms of contraception before, during, and for at least 6 weeks after stopping Ceptolate. Sexually active men should use condoms during treatment and for 90 days after stopping, and female partners should use reliable contraception during this period. Do not donate blood for at least 6 weeks after stopping treatment.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of side effects occurring due to immunosuppression.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ceptolate and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- azathioprine, tacrolimus and sirolimus (immune system suppressants)
- aciclovir, ganciclovir, valaciclovir or valganciclovir (antiviral medicines)
- isavuconazole (antifungal medicine)
- antacids (for heartburn)
- colestyramine (for high cholesterol)
- ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, norfloxacin plus metronidazole and rifampicin (antibiotics)
- iron supplements
- certain vaccines (especially live vaccines)
- proton-pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole and pantoprazole
- telmisartan (for high blood pressure)
- calcium-free phosphate binders such as sevelamer
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Ceptolate affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Ceptolate affects you, especially if you experience drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, tremor or low blood pressure.
Sun Protection
Wear protective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors. Medicines that prevent rejection of transplanted organs can increase the risk of skin cancers.
Storage
Keep Ceptolate tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep your tablets in the original container until it is time to take them. Store away from moisture, heat or sunlight – do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much Ceptolate, urgent medical attention may be needed. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceptolate should be taken every day for as long as your doctor tells you. It is important to keep taking Ceptolate to ensure your transplanted organ keeps working properly.
No, do not crush Ceptolate tablets. Swallow them whole with a full glass of water.
No, Ceptolate is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Ceptolate without first checking with your doctor. It is important to keep taking it to prevent rejection of your transplanted organ.
No, you should not donate blood while being treated with Ceptolate and for at least 6 weeks after you have stopped taking it.
Your doctor will need to give you regular blood tests to monitor your progress and check how well the medicine is working.
Remind any doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Ceptolate, especially if you are having surgery as it may affect other medicines used during surgery.
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.