Cellcept 500 MG
5 Strips x 10 Tabs

ROCHE

GENERIC NAME: MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL

What is CellCept?

Cellcept, is the trade name for Mycophenolic acid, less accurately called mycophenolate. It is an immunosuppressant drug used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation. It inhibits an enzyme needed for the growth of T cells and B cells. Our immune system helps our body in fighting infections. While obtaining a new organ, our bodies treat the new organ as an invader, and the chances that the body will reject the organ are high. This medicine lowers our body’s immune system in order to help the body adapt and accept the donated organ.

Organ transplant is a serious life threatening procedure. For a body to accept an alien organ, it needs intensive care and the right internal environment. Common side effects surface from time to time, so it is necessary to not only monitor them but to take care of them right away as well, in order to ensure a hospitable environment for the donated organ and avoid rejection.

Guidelines and Precautions

Since Cellcept in an immunosuppressant, it is dangerous to even get exposed to a broken tablet or pill, since it can weaken up one’s immune system if not regulated and consumed properly and with proper guidance.

Pregnant Women : It is necessary for all pregnant women to consult their doctors thoroughly before and during opting for the treatment. For all the women who can get pregnant, it is suggested to take one pregnancy test a day before starting Cellcept and one 10-12 days after starting the treatment. She must use acceptable birth control during her entire CellCept therapy, and continue birth control for 6 weeks after she stops taking CellCept. It is also an option to completely abstain from sexual intercourse. If a woman does get pregnant while taking CellCept, she must not stop taking CellCept. Instead, the situation must be discussed with the doctor to take right steps to ensure health of both the woman and the unborn baby.

Allergy : Anyone who is allergic to Cellcept, or any ingredient of Cellcept, should refrain from using it completely. An immunosuppressant will only create more troubles if an allergic reaction occurs, and can prove to be really fatal for the patient.

History : The patient must disclose all the ongoing treatments and medicines the patient is consuming beforehand. The doctor generally takes blood samples before and during Cellcept usage, to ensure the blood count stability.

Side Effects : CellCept weakens the body’s immune system and it’s ability to fight infections, and since the body is left vulnerable during and after Cellcept usage, it becomes prone to viral infections and other hazardous conditions. Serious life threatening infections like Cytomegalovirus (CMV), shingles, herpes, Hepatitis B and C and many other infections can happen and cause serious blood or tissue infections.

Usage

CellCept must be used only if prescribed by a certified doctor. One must remain under intensive care with their vitals being regularly monitored while they are using CellCept. The injection form of CellCept is injected into a vein through an IV. Only a certified healthcare provider must be allowed to give this dosage. For oral consumption, CellCept must be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. It shall not be crushed, chewed, broken, or even opened. It must be swallow whole and at once.

The patient on Cellcept will be regularly monitored. Routine medical tests will be carried out from time to time to ensure that the medicine is not causing harmful effects. Blood samples will be collected regularly and vitals will be monitored closely to ensure complete safety of the patient.

CellCept Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Organ Transplantation – Rejection Prophylaxis:

Renal transplantation: 1 g orally or intravenously twice daily. Oral: 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Intravenous: administered for 2 hours.

Heart transplantation: 1.5 g intravenously twice daily administered over not less than 2 hours or 1.5 g orally twice daily

Liver transplantation: 1 g intravenously twice daily administered over no less than 2 hours or 1.5 g orally twice daily

Usual Geriatric Dose for Organ Transplantation – Rejection Prophylaxis:

Renal transplantation: 1 g orally or intravenously twice daily. Oral: 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Intravenous: administered for 2 hours.

Heart transplantation: 1.5 g intravenously twice daily administered over not less than 2 hours or 1.5 g orally twice daily

Liver transplantation: 1 g intravenously twice daily administered over no less than 2 hours or 1.5 g orally twice daily

Usual Pediatric Dose for Organ Transplantation – Rejection Prophylaxis:

Renal transplantation:
3 months or more: data not available

3 months or more:
Initial dose: 600 mg / m2 / dose twice daily to a maximum of 2 grams per day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nephrotic Syndrome:

Frequent recurrence:
Initial dose: 12.5 to 18 mg / kg orally twice daily for 1 to 2 years with a tapered dose of prednisone.
Maximum dose: 2 grams per day.

Depending on steroids:
Initial dose: 12 to 18 mg / kg or 600 mg / m2 orally twice daily.
Maximum dose: 2 grams per day.