CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to help prevent organ rejection after a transplant in adults and some children. CellCept comes in several forms. The dosage can vary depending on the type of transplant.
CellCept belongs to a drug class called immunosuppressants. It’s available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of CellCept, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at CellCept, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for CellCept provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the CellCept dosage that’s right for you.
Below is information about CellCept’s dosages and other details about the drug.
CellCept forms
CellCept comes in the following oral forms:
- liquid suspension (a type of mixture)
- capsule
- tablet
CellCept also comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. A healthcare professional mixes the powder with a liquid to form a solution for IV infusion. You’ll receive CellCept IV infusions in the hospital.
CellCept strengths
The different forms of CellCept come in the following strengths:
| Form | Strength |
| liquid suspension | 200 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mg/mL) |
| capsule | 250 mg |
| tablet | 500 mg |
| IV infusion | 500 mg |
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Your doctor may give you CellCept by IV infusion while you’re in the hospital after your organ transplant. When you leave the hospital, they’ll prescribe the capsule or tablet form of CellCept.
Note: CellCept is typically given with other drugs that suppress the immune system.
Dosage to help prevent organ rejection after a transplant
The dosage of CellCept to help prevent organ rejection depends on the type of transplant. The table below shows the recommended dosages for adults:
| Type of transplant | Form | Dose | Frequency |
| kidney transplant | • four 250-mg capsules • two 500-mg tablets • 1,000-mg IV infusion | 1,000 mg | twice per day |
| heart transplant | • six 250-mg capsules • three 500-mg tablets • 1,500-mg IV infusion | 1,500 mg | twice per day |
| liver transplant | • six 250-mg capsules • three 500-mg tablets Or • 1,000-mg IV infusion | • 1,500 mg by mouth Or • 1,000 mg by IV | twice per day |
Children’s dosage
CellCept is used in children ages 3 months and older to help prevent organ rejection after an organ transplant. CellCept dosages depend on the type of transplant. The dosage also depends on your child’s body surface area (BSA).* Your child’s doctor will determine their dosage in milligrams of CellCept per square meter (mg/m2).
Your child will receive CellCept by IV infusion while they’re in the hospital after their transplant. When they leave the hospital, their doctor will prescribe the liquid suspension† form of the drug.
Note: CellCept is typically given with other drugs that suppress the immune system.
* BSA is an estimate of body size that’s based on a person’s height and weight. Doctors use BSA to calculate the dosage of certain medications.
† Depending on your child’s BSA and comfort swallowing pills, your doctor may prescribe CellCept capsules or tablets instead of the liquid suspension.
Dosage to help prevent organ rejection after a transplant
The table below shows the recommended children’s dosage of CellCept to help prevent organ rejection after the indicated transplant:
| Type of transplant | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
| kidney transplant | 600 mg/m2 twice per day | not indicated | 2,000 mg per day |
| heart transplant | 600 mg/m2 twice per day | 900 mg/m2 twice per day | 3,000 mg per day |
| liver transplant | 600 mg/m2 twice per day | 900 mg/m2 twice per day | 3,000 mg per day |
Long-term treatment
CellCept is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that CellCept is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term to help prevent organ rejection.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about your dosage and treatment plan.
If you or your child has been prescribed CellCept, you may have questions about it. Read below for answers to some commonly asked questions about this drug.
Do certain foods affect my dosage of CellCept?
No, there are no foods known to affect the dosage of CellCept. However, you’ll typically take CellCept on an empty stomach. This means you’ll take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after a meal. In certain cases, your doctor may decide that you can take CellCept with food. For details about taking CellCept, see the “How to take CellCept” section below.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about certain foods and CellCept.
Can CellCept be used for autoimmune diseases or lupus?
Yes, CellCept may be prescribed off-label for autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for. CellCept has FDA approval only to help prevent organ rejection after an organ transplant.
If you’d like to learn more about CellCept for lupus or another autoimmune disease, talk with your doctor.
The CellCept dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type of organ transplant you’ve had
- the form of CellCept you take
- your kidney function
- your age
- other medications you may take
- other medical conditions you may have
If you have questions about your CellCept dosage, talk with your doctor.
CellCept comes in several oral forms and as an IV infusion. Always follow your doctor’s instructions for taking CellCept. They’ll likely recommend taking CellCept on an empty stomach. This means 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after a meal.
Your doctor will give you IV infusions of CellCept in the hospital. You’ll receive two infusions per day, each one lasting about 2 hours.
You’ll swallow CellCept capsules or tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or open them. If you have trouble swallowing capsules or tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
CellCept liquid suspension comes with an oral dispenser. You’ll use it to measure your child’s dose. Do not mix it with any other liquids. And avoid getting the liquid suspension on your skin or in your eyes. For details about how to give this form of CellCept, see its Instructions for Use.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting CellCept in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of CellCept, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s within 2 hours of your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Then, take your scheduled dose when you usually would. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
If you take more CellCept than your doctor prescribes, you may develop harmful effects.
It’s important that you do not take more CellCept than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of CellCept can include:
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
If you take more than the recommended amount of CellCept
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much CellCept. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends CellCept for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of CellCept without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of CellCept that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about CellCept. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about CellCept. For information about other aspects of CellCept, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of CellCept, see this article. You can also look at the CellCept prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. Find out how CellCept compares with Myfortic and Prograf.
- Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our list of transplant and organ donation articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
