Medications and Complications
A Patient's Guide to Kidney Transplant Surgery

MEDICATIONS

Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept)

Purpose:
Fights rejection by decreasing the number of white blood cells the immune system produces.

How to take:

  • Capsules - 250 mg blue and brown; Tablets - 500 mg lavender.

  • CellCept should be taken twice a day on an empty stomach.

Precautions:

Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of lymphoma may result from immunosuppression. Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of renal or cardiac transplant patients should use Mycophenolate Mofetil. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient.

Principal Side effects:

These include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, leukopenia (a decrease in the number of white blood cells which can increase the chance of infection), sepsis (a condition associated with a bacterial infection of the blood), vomiting and an increased susceptibility to certain types of infections and lymphoma. Patients receiving Mycophenolate Mofetil should be monitored for neutropenia. Immediately report to your doctor any evidence of infection (for example, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, unexplained bruising or bleeding).


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If you have any questions, please contact us:
USC Kidney Transplant Program
Phone: (323) 442-5908, Fax: (323) 442-5721
E-mail: usckidney@surgery.hsc.usc.edu