Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Cellcept.
Chemical Name: MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL (MYE-koe-FEN-oh-late MOE-fe-til)
Cellcept 250mg is an immunosuppressant used with other medicines to prevent organ rejection following kidney, liver, or heart transplants. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Cellcept 250mg weakens your immune system, which may decrease your ability to fight illness or infection. It may also increase the risk of certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma). Use Cellcept 250mg only under close medical supervision. Cellcept 250mg may cause birth defects or fetal death if taken during pregnancy. Women who may become pregnant must use effective birth control while they are taking Cellcept 250mg. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Cellcept 250mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE CELLCEPT 250mg IF you are taking azathioprine; cholestyramine; colestipol; other medicines that contain mycophenolate or mycophenolic acid; or norfloxacin and metronidazole together. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking acyclovir, ganciclovir, probenecid, cyclosporine, rifampin, live vaccines, or oral contraceptives. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including immune system problems or if you have been taking another medicine that may suppress your immune system; stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers); kidney problems; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, blood cancer (eg, lymphoma), or other blood problems. Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for a vaccination or if you will be in close contact with a person who has singles, another type of herpes infection, or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. USE OF CELLCEPT 250mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Cellcept 250mg.
Follow the directions for taking Cellcept 250mg provided by your doctor. Cellcept 250mg comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Cellcept 250mg. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Cellcept 250mg. TAKE CELLCEPT 250mg by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating unless your doctor tells you otherwise. SWALLOW CELLCEPT 250mg WHOLE. Do not break, crush, chew, or open the capsule before swallowing. If capsules are opened accidentally, DO NOT INHALE OR TOUCH THE POWDER CONTAINED INSIDE THE CAPSULES. If contact occurs, wash the contact area immediately with soap and water; rinse eyes with plain water. DO NOT TAKE AN ANTACID that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 3 hours of taking Cellcept 250mg. IF YOU TAKE A CALCIUM-FREE PHOSPHATE BINDER (eg, sevelamer), take it 2 hours after taking Cellcept 250mg. STORE CELLCEPT 250mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of Cellcept 250mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE CELLCEPT 250mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Cellcept 250mg or mycophenolic acid. LAB TESTS may be performed while you take Cellcept 250mg to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. Cellcept 250mg may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. CELLCEPT 250mg MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER (eg, lymphoma, skin cancer). Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths while you take Cellcept 250mg. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. Tell your doctor right away if you notice a change in the size or color of a mole or if you develop any new or unusual skin growths. SOME PATIENTS TREATED WITH CELLCEPT 250mg HAVE DEVELOPED SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) or severe kidney problems associated with BK virus infection. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of PML (eg, confusion, disorientation, depression, changes in thinking, strength, or vision, one-sided weakness, trouble walking or talking, loss of balance or coordination) or kidney problems (eg, change in the amount of urine, difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine). CELLCEPT 250mg MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CLOT-FORMING CELLS (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding or dark, tarry, or bloody stools. CELLCEPT 250mg MAY LOWER THE ABILITY OF YOUR BODY TO FIGHT INFECTION and may increase the risk of severe or fatal infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection. DO NOT receive a live vaccine while you are taking Cellcept 250mg. DIARRHEA MAY OCCUR with Cellcept 250mg. If you develop diarrhea, check with your doctor or pharmacist. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use Cellcept 250mg with caution in the ELDERLY AND CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: CELLCEPT 250mg MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR FETAL DEATH if you take it while you are pregnant. DO NOT BECOME PREGNANT while you are taking Cellcept 250mg. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor right away. YOU MUST HAVE A NEGATIVE PREGNANCY TEST within 1 week before starting Cellcept 250mg and use 2 effective forms of birth control for 4 weeks before starting Cellcept 250mg, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after stopping Cellcept 250mg. HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are taking Cellcept 250mg. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF CELLCEPT 250mg IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Cellcept 250mg.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Cellcept 250mg include anxiety; back pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; mild stomach pain; mild tiredness or weakness; nausea; upset stomach; tremor; trouble sleeping; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or black stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain or pounding in the chest; fainting; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes (eg, abnormal thinking); night sweats; numbness, tingling, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, ankles, or feet; severe headache, dizziness, or blurred vision; severe vomiting or stomach pain; shortness of breath; swollen glands; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, cough, or sore throat); symptoms of urinary tract infection (eg, difficult, frequent, or painful urination; blood in urine; lower stomach or back pain); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual skin lumps or growths; unusual weight loss; vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; white patches in mouth or throat; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. SOME PATIENTS TREATED WITH CELLCEPT 250mg have developed a type of anemia called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or persistent tiredness or weakness, sluggishness, or unusually pale skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Cellcept 250mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Cellcept
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
DO NOT CHANGE BRANDS OR DOSE FORMS (eg, tablets, suspension, injection) of Cellcept 250mg without talking with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE CELLCEPT 250mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE CELLCEPT 250mg for other health conditions. KEEP CELLCEPT 250mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF YOU WILL BE USING CELLCEPT 250mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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