Cellcept Side Effects – Causes and Effects

By
Frank K. Norman, Pharmacologist
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Category: Selective Immunosuppressants

Drug Name: Cellcept

General Usage: Selective Immunosuppressants

Brief Info about Cellcept in Drug:

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Generic name of Cellcept is Mycophenolate. Mycophenolate injection is a part of a group of drugs called as immunosuppressive agents. It is used in combination with other drugs to reduce the body’s natural immunity particularly in those patients who have gone through organ transplant, for example- kidney, liver or heart.

When a patient receives a foreign organ, body’s WBCs (White Blood Cells) attack on it to get rid of that transplanted organ.  Mycophenolate injection restrains WBCs from attacking the transplanted organ.

Cellcept Side Effects Explained Better:

Although it is good to be aware of all possible adverse effects when you are being recommended a medication. The most important thing to bear in mind is that these side effects more often occur in a small percentage of people, so there is a possibility you will not have any unwanted effect while consuming any particular medicine. Also, almost all medicines side effects are temporary and go away once you stop the drug or switch to a different drug.

All kinds of adverse effects like overdose, prolonged use of medicines, drug interactions as well as minor & major adverse effects are given below.

Frequent Cellcept Side Effects (Commonly Seen)-

Not to worry when you feel below-mentioned side effects when you are taking this drug. These side effects fade gradually as your body gets used to it. If you have a problem with them, get medical aid immediately.

  • Back pain
  • Cough
  • Constipation
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Mild stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mild tiredness or weakness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Tremor
  • Upset stomach

Infrequent Cellcept Side Effects (Professional Point of View)-

  • Signs of allergic reactions-
    • Itching
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Rash
    • Swelling of the lips, mouth, face, or tongue
    • Hives
    • Tightness in the chest
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Blood in the urine
  • Numbness
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Change in the amount of urine produced
  • Chest pain or pounding in the chest
  • Fainting
  • Sings of mood or mental changes-
    • Abnormal thinking
  • Night Sweats
  • Tingling, or swelling of the legs, arms, ankles, hands or feet
  • Dizziness
  • Severe headache
  • Stomach pain or severe vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sluggishness
  • Symptoms of infection-
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Cough
    • Sore throat
  • Symptoms of urinary tract infection-
    • Difficult
    • Blood in the urine
    • Back pain
    • Painful or frequent urination
    • Lower stomach
  • Persistent or unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Vomiting blood that seems like coffee grounds
  • Swollen glands
  • Unusually pale skin
  • White patches in the throat or mouth
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Unusual skin growths or lumps
  • Unusual weight loss
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin

 Ger medical help as soon as you experience these side effects.

Remember: These side effects cannot be cured without proper healthcare professional’s assistance.

Cellcept Overdose Side Effects (Require Immediate Medical Attention)-

Overdose symptoms may include-

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  • Vomiting
  • Signs of infection
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding

Follow your doctor instructions when it comes to how much it should be taken. Don’t increase or decrease the dose of it on your own.

Cellcept Drug Interaction Side Effects (Due to Reaction with Other drugs)-

Drug interaction is a very common problem while using many drugs simultaneously. To overcome this serious problem, you should let your doctor know about all medicines using by you for some purposes as well as about alcohol, tobacco, herbal products, vitamins, minerals etc to lower the chances of drug interaction that may lead to serious side effects.

Inform your medical health care provider if you are taking below-listed medicines-

  • Ganciclovir (Cytovene)
  • Cholestyramine (Questran)
  • Amoxicillin
  • Any other type of antibiotic
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Proquin, Ciloxan)
  • Acyclovir (Zovirax)
  • Other medicines that make our immune system weak, such as-
    • Tacrolimus (Prograf)
    •  Azathioprine (Imuran)
    • Daclizumab (Zenapax)
    • Cyclosporine (Neoral)

Cellcept Prolonged Use Side Effects (When Used for Longer Periods)-

If your physician recommends a drug for lifelong use, this drug may beget unwanted effects. So, you should discuss various questions about the proper use of this drug with your pharmacist or doctor to be on the safer side.