WHAT IS CELLCEPT?Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is available as 500 mg tablets and 250 mg capsules. Cellcept is used for many conditions involving inflammation, including atopic eczema. Prednisone, another anti-inflammatory drug, is also often used for these conditions. The advantage of Cellcept over prednisone is that it has fewer side effects. The disadvantage of Cellcept is that it doesn't work as quickly as prednisone; it can take several weeks to start working.HOW DOES CELLCEPT WORK FOR ATOPIC ECZEMA?Atopic eczema involves inflammation of the skin due to an exaggerated immune response to harmless substances. Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits this immune response, reducing skin inflammation and alleviating the eczema. It does not cure the eczema; symptoms are merely mitigated as long as you continue using the medication.
Mycophenolate mofetil does not work immediately; it can take approximately four to eight weeks before you notice the medication starting to work. Therefore, treatment with mycophenolate mofetil is sometimes combined with prednisone for a short period (approximately three weeks) initially. Prednisone works quickly, but due to its side effects, it is less suitable for long-term treatment. Mycophenolate mofetil is also used in organ transplants, for example, for a donor kidney. The dosages used for this are often higher than for atopic eczema.HOW SHOULD I USE CELLCEPT?CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil) is available as 500 mg tablets and 250 mg capsules. The usual dose for eczema is usually two 500 mg tablets twice a day. The dose may vary slightly from patient to patient. The tablets should be taken on an empty stomach. You can swallow the tablets with food, water, or milk.WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CELLCEPT?The main side effects are:
• Headache
• Fatigue.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Increased susceptibility to infections.
• Abnormalities in the blood count.
- Disrupted production of white blood cells and therefore increased risk of infections
- Disrupted production of platelets and therefore increased risk of bruising and nosebleeds
- Disrupted production of red blood cells and therefore increased risk of anemia
• Disruption of liver and pancreatic function.
To detect side effects at an early stage, regular blood tests will be performed.WHAT SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN USING CELLCEPT?• Read the package leaflet carefully.
• Discuss all your questions with your dermatologist or GP
. • When visiting other doctors (including a dentist) always tell them that you are taking mycophenolate mofetil.
• Never use more than the prescribed amount.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. This is because it can “overstimulate” the liver.
• The simultaneous use of certain antacids and certain tablets against herpes infections can affect the way mycophenolate mofetil works: if you are taking these medications, discuss this with your dermatologist or GP.
• If you need to undergo surgery, mycophenolate mofetil does not need to be stopped.
• If you experience symptoms of infections such as fever, cold, flu, cough, sore throat, severe shortness of breath and boils, you must consult your dermatologist or GP: mycophenolate mofetil may need to be temporarily stopped.
• If you are planning to become pregnant, you must consult your dermatologist or GP. Mycophenolate mofetil must be discontinued during pregnancy.
• If you are taking mycophenolate mofetil, you should not breastfeed.
• Men who want to have children can continue taking mycophenolate mofetil.
• If you are taking mycophenolate mofetil, there is no objection to the 'flu shot'. |
