DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Mycophenolate Mofetil Oral Suspension (mye-koe-FEN-oh-late MOE-feh-til)
Brand Name: CellCept

CellCept Suspension decreases 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 Suspension only under close medical supervision.

CellCept Suspension is used for:

Preventing organ rejection following kidney, liver, or heart transplants. CellCept Suspension is used in combination with other medicines. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

CellCept Suspension is an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the activity of certain cells that make up part of the immune system to help reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection.

Do NOT use CellCept Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in CellCept Suspension
• you are taking cholestyramine, colestipol, azathioprine, or mycophenolic acid

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using CellCept Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with CellCept Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have stomach or intestinal problems, including ulcers; kidney problems; phenylketonuria (PKU); or a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome
• if you are scheduled for a vaccination

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with CellCept Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antacids, cholestyramine, colestipol, or iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate) because the effectiveness of CellCept Suspension may be decreased
• Azathioprine, mycophenolic acid, acyclovir, ganciclovir, or probenecid because the actions and side effects of CellCept Suspension may be increased
• Oral contraceptives because their effectiveness may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if CellCept Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use CellCept Suspension:

Use CellCept Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take CellCept Suspension on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Shake well before taking a dose.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure this dose.
• Do not take antacids containing aluminum or magnesium or an iron salt (eg, ferrous sulfate) at the same time as you take CellCept Suspension; space the doses at least 3 to 4 hours apart.
• If you miss a dose of CellCept Suspension, 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use CellCept Suspension.

Important safety information:

• CellCept Suspension may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to CellCept Suspension. Using CellCept Suspension alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• CellCept Suspension may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma, skin cancer). Avoid sunlamps or tanning booths. Limit sun exposure by using a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• CellCept Suspension may lower your body's ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection including fever, sore throat, rashes, or chills.
• Check with your doctor before having vaccinations while you are taking CellCept Suspension.
• While you are using CellCept Suspension, it is important to brush and floss your teeth carefully and also have regular dental check-ups.
• Phenylketonuria patients - CellCept Suspension contains phenylalanine.
• LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use CellCept Suspension if you are pregnant. You must have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week before starting CellCept Suspension. To prevent pregnancy, use 2 effective forms of birth control before therapy, during therapy, and for 6 weeks after therapy is completed. The effectiveness of birth control pills may be decreased when taken with CellCept Suspension. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine which forms of effective birth control are right for you. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. It is unknown if CellCept Suspension is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking CellCept Suspension.

Possible side effects of CellCept Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Acne; anxiety; back pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; incoordination; increased hair growth; indigestion; loss of appetite; mild or moderate stomach pain; muscle cramps; muscle or joint pain; nausea; pain; pain in arms or legs; shakiness; sleeplessness; stomach bloating; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; bloody or black stools; changes in heart rhythm; chest pain; enlarged lymph nodes; enlarged stomach; fainting; fever; frequent or infrequent urination; itching; leg pain; night sweats; pounding in the chest; severe vomiting or stomach pain; skin growths; sore throat; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen glands; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps or growths; unusual tiredness; upper respiratory tract infection; urinary tract infection; vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; weight loss; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Proper storage of CellCept Suspension:

Store CellCept Suspension in a tightly closed container at room temperature, 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Storage in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) is acceptable. Do not freeze. Discard any unused portion after 60 days. Keep CellCept Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about CellCept Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• CellCept Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about CellCept Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.