Cellcept

What is CellCept and how is it used?

CellCept is a prescription medicine to prevent rejection (antirejection medicine) in people who have received a kidney, heart or liver transplant. Rejection is when the body's immune system perceives the new organ as a “foreign” threat and attacks it.

CellCept is used with other medicines called cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Gengraf®, Neoral®) and corticosteroids.

CellCept has been used safely and works in children who received a kidney transplant as it does in adults. It is not known if CellCept is safe and works in children who receive a heart or liver transplant.

What are the possible side effects of CellCept?

CellCept can cause serious side effects:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about CellCept?”
• Low blood cell counts. People taking high doses of CellCept each day may have a decrease in blood counts, including
  • white blood cells, especially neutrophils. Neutrophils fight against bacterial infections. You have a higher chance of getting an infection when your white blood cell count is low. This is most common from 3 months to 6 months after your transplant.
  • red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your body tissues. You have a higher chance of getting severe anemia when your red blood cell count is low.
  • platelets. Platelets help with blood clotting.

Your doctor will do blood tests before you start taking CellCept and during treatment with CellCept to check your blood cell counts.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (see “What is the most important information I should know about CellCept?”), or any unexpected bruising or bleeding. Also, tell your doctor if you have unusual tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness or fainting.

• Stomach problems. Stomach and intestinal bleeding can happen in people who take high doses of CellCept. Bleeding can be severe and you may have to be hospitalized for treatment.

Common side effects include:

• diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea. Do not stop taking CellCept without first talking with your doctor.
• vomiting
• pain
• stomach area pain
• swelling of the lower legs, ankles and feet
• high blood pressure

Side effects that happen more often in children than in adults taking CellCept include:

• stomach area pain
• sore throat
• fever
• colds (respiratory tract infections)
• infection
• high blood pressure
• pain
• low white blood cell count
• blood infection (sepsis)
• low red blood cell count
• diarrhea
• vomiting

These are not all of the possible side effects of CellCept. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

DESCRIPTION

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is the 2-morpholinoethyl ester of mycophenolic acid (MPA), an immunosuppressive agent; inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor.

The chemical name for mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is 2-morpholinoethyl (E)-6-(1,3-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6- methoxy-7-methyl-3-oxo-5-isobenzofuranyl)-4-methyl-4-hexenoate. It has an empirical formula of C₂₃H₃₁NO₇, a molecular weight of 433.50, and the following structural formula:

Mycophenolate mofetil is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in water (43 μg/mL at pH 7.4); the solubility increases in acidic medium (4.27 mg/mL at pH 3.6). It is freely soluble in acetone, soluble in methanol, and sparingly soluble in ethanol. The apparent partition coefficient in 1-octanol/water (pH 7.4) buffer solution is 238. The pKa values for mycophenolate mofetil are 5.6 for the morpholino group and 8.5 for the phenolic group.

Mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride has a solubility of 65.8 mg/mL in 5% Dextrose Injection USP (D5W). The pH of the reconstituted solution is 2.4 to 4.1.

CellCept is available for oral administration as capsules containing 250 mg of mycophenolate mofetil, tablets containing 500 mg of mycophenolate mofetil, and as a powder for oral suspension, which when constituted contains 200 mg/mL mycophenolate mofetil.

Inactive ingredients in CellCept 250 mg capsules include croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone (K-90) and pregelatinized starch. The capsule shells contain black iron oxide, FD&C blue #2, gelatin, red iron oxide, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.

Inactive ingredients in CellCept 500 mg tablets include black iron oxide, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone (K-90), red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide; may also contain ammonium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and shellac.

Inactive ingredients in CellCept Oral Suspension include aspartame, citric acid anhydrous, colloidal silicon dioxide, methylparaben, mixed fruit flavor, sodium citrate dihydrate, sorbitol, soybean lecithin, and xanthan gum.

CellCept Intravenous is the hydrochloride salt of mycophenolate mofetil. The chemical name for the hydrochloride salt of mycophenolate mofetil is 2-morpholinoethyl (E)-6-(1,3-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7- methyl-3-oxo-5-isobenzofuranyl)-4-methyl-4-hexenoate hydrochloride. It has an empirical formula of C₂₃H₃₁NO₇ HCl and a molecular weight of 469.96.

CellCept Intravenous is available as a sterile white to off-white lyophilized powder in vials containing mycophenolate mofetil hydrochloride for administration by intravenous infusion only. Each vial of CellCept Intravenous contains the equivalent of 500 mg mycophenolate mofetil as the hydrochloride salt. The inactive ingredients are polysorbate 80, 25 mg, and citric acid, 5 mg. Sodium hydroxide may have been used in the manufacture of CellCept Intravenous to adjust the pH. Reconstitution and dilution with 5% Dextrose Injection USP yields a slightly yellow solution of mycophenolate mofetil, 6 mg/mL. (For detailed method of preparation, see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

INDICATIONS

CELLCEPT [mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)] is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection, in recipients of allogeneic kidney [see Clinical Studies], heart [see Clinical Studies] or liver transplants [see Clinical Studies], in combination with other immunosuppressants.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Important Administration Instructions

CELLCEPT should not be used without the supervision of a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy.

CELLCEPT Capsules, Tablets And Oral Suspension

CELLCEPT oral dosage forms (capsules, tablets or oral suspension) should not be used interchangeably with mycophenolic acid delayed-release tablets without supervision of a physician with experience in immunosuppressive therapy because the rates of absorption following the administration of CELLCEPT oral dosage forms and mycophenolic acid delayed-release tablets are not equivalent.

CELLCEPT tablets should not be crushed and CELLCEPT capsules should not be opened or crushed. Patients should avoid inhalation or contact of the skin or mucous membranes with the powder contained in CELLCEPT capsules and oral suspension. If such contact occurs, they must wash the area of contact thoroughly with soap and water. In case of ocular contact, rinse eyes with plain water.

The initial oral dose of CELLCEPT should be given as soon as possible following kidney, heart or liver transplant. It is recommended that CELLCEPT be administered on an empty stomach. In stable transplant patients, however, CELLCEPT may be administered with food if necessary [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Once reconstituted, CELLCEPT Oral Suspension must not be mixed with any liquids prior to dose administration. If needed, CELLCEPT Oral Suspension can be administered via a nasogastric tube with a minimum size of 8 French (minimum 1.7 mm interior diameter).

Patients should be instructed to take a missed dose as soon as they remember, except if it is closer than 2 hours to the next scheduled dose; in this case, they should continue to take CELLCEPT at the usual times.

CELLCEPT Intravenous

CELLCEPT Intravenous is recommended for patients unable to take oral CELLCEPT. CELLCEPT Intravenous should be administered within 24 hours following transplant. CELLCEPT Intravenous can be administered for up to 14 days; however, patients should be switched to oral CELLCEPT as soon as they can tolerate oral medication.

CELLCEPT Intravenous must be reconstituted before use [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. CELLCEPT Intravenous is incompatible with other intravenous infusion solutions and should not be mixed or administered concurrently via the same infusion catheter with other intravenous drugs or infusion admixtures.

CELLCEPT Intravenous must not be administered as a bolus. Following reconstitution, CELLCEPT Intravenous must be administered by slow intravenous infusion over a period of no less than 2 hours by either peripheral or central vein, as rapid infusion increases the risk of local adverse reactions such as phlebitis and thrombosis [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Dosing For Kidney Transplant Patients: Adults And Pediatrics

Adults

The recommended dose for adult kidney transplant patients is 1 g orally or intravenously infused over no less than 2 hours, twice daily (daily dose of 2 g).

Pediatrics (3 months and older)

Pediatric dosing is based on body surface area (BSA). The recommended dose of CELLCEPT oral suspension for pediatric kidney transplant patients 3 months and older is 600 mg/m², administered twice daily (maximum daily dose of 2g or 10 mL of the oral suspension). Pediatric patients with BSA ≥ 1.25 m² may be dosed with capsules or tablets as follows:

Table 1 : Pediatric Dosing Using Capsules or Tablets for Pediatric Kidney Transplant

Body Surface Area	Dosing
1.25 m² to <1.5 m²	CELLCEPT capsule 750 mg twice daily (1.5 g daily dose)
≥ 1.5 m²	CELLCEPT capsules or tablets 1 g twice daily (2 g daily dose)

Dosing For Heart Transplant Patients: Adults

The recommended dose of CELLCEPT for adult heart transplant patients is 1.5 g orally or intravenously infused over no less than 2 hours administered twice daily (daily dose of 3 g).

Dosing For Liver Transplant Patients: Adults

The recommended dose of CELLCEPT for adult liver transplant patients is 1.5 g administered orally twice daily (daily dose of 3 g) or 1 g infused intravenously over no less than 2 hours, twice daily (daily dose of 2 g).

Dosing Adjustments: Patients With Renal Impairment, Neutropenia

Renal Impairment

No dose adjustments are needed in kidney transplant patients with delayed graft function postoperatively [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. In kidney transplant patients with severe chronic impairment of the graft (GFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m²), do not administer doses of CELLCEPT greater than 1 g twice a day. These patients should be carefully monitored [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Neutropenia

If neutropenia develops (ANC <1.3 x 10³/μL), dosing with CELLCEPT should be interrupted or reduced, appropriate diagnostic tests performed, and the patient managed appropriately [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Preparation Instructions Of Oral Suspension And Intravenous For Pharmacists

General Preparation Instructions Before Handling The Formulations

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has demonstrated teratogenic effects in humans. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.¹ [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, HOW SUPPLIED/Storage And Handling]

Care should be taken to avoid inhalation or direct contact with skin or mucous membranes of the dry powder or the constituted suspension because MMF has demonstrated teratogenic effects in humans. Wearing disposable gloves is recommended during reconstitution and when wiping the outer surface of the bottle/cap and the table surface after reconstitution. If such contact occurs, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water; rinse eyes with water.

Alert patients that they and others should also avoid inhalation or contact of the skin or mucous membranes with the oral suspension. Advise them to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water if such contact occurs; if ocular contact occurs, rinse eyes with plain water.

CELLCEPT Oral Suspension

CELLCEPT Oral Suspension must be reconstituted by the pharmacist prior to dispensing to the patient. CELLCEPT Oral Suspension should not be mixed with any other medication. After reconstitution, the oral suspension contains 200 mg/mL MMF.

Before proceeding with the reconstitution steps read the general preparation instructions above [see General Preparation Instructions Before Handling the Formulations]. The following are the steps for reconstitution:

1. Tap the closed bottle several times to loosen the powder.
2. Measure 94 mL of water in a graduated cylinder.
3. Add approximately half the total amount of water for reconstitution to the bottle and shake the closed bottle well for about 1 minute.
4. Add the remainder of water and shake the closed bottle well for about 1 minute.
5. Remove the child-resistant cap and push bottle adapter into neck of bottle.
6. Close bottle with child-resistant cap tightly. This will assure the proper seating of the bottle adapter in the bottle and child-resistant status of the cap.
7. Write the date of expiration of the constituted suspension on the bottle label. (The shelf-life of the constituted suspension is 60 days.)
8. Dispense with the “Instruction for Use” and oral dispensers. Alert patients to read the important handling information described in the instructions for use.

Store reconstituted suspension at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Storage in a refrigerator at 2° C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) is acceptable. Do not freeze. Discard any unused portion 60 days after constitution.

CELLCEPT Intravenous

Before proceeding with the preparation steps for CELLCEPT Intravenous read the general preparation instructions [see General Preparation Instructions Before Handling the Formulations] and note the following:

• CELLCEPT Intravenous does not contain an antibacterial preservative; therefore, reconstitution and dilution of the product must be performed under aseptic conditions.
• This product is sealed under vacuum and should retain a vacuum throughout its shelf life. If a lack of vacuum in the vial is noted while adding the diluent, the vial should not be used.

CELLCEPT Intravenous must be reconstituted and further diluted. A detailed description of the preparation is given below.

Table 2 : Preparation Instructions of CELLCEPT Intravenous for Pharmacists

Preparation of the lg dose

Reconstitute two (2) vials of CELLCEPT Intravenous bv injecting 14 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection USP into each vial. Gently shake the vial to dissolve the drug.   Inspect the resulting slightly yellow solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to further dilution. Discard the vials if particulate matter or discoloration is observed. Dilute the contents of the two reconstituted vials (approximately 2x15 mL) into 140 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection USP. Inspect the resulting infusion solution and discard if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.

Preparation of the 1.5 g dose

Reconstitute three (3) vials of CELLCEPT Intravenous bv injecting 14 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection USP into each vial. Gently shake the vial to dissolve the drug. Inspect the resulting slightly yellow solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to further dilution. Discard the vials if particulate matter or discoloration is observed. Dilute the contents of the three reconstituted vials (approximately 3x15 mL) into 210 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection USP. Inspect the resulting infusion solution and discard if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.

The administration of the infusion should be initiated within 4 hours of reconstitution and dilution of the drug product. Keep solutions at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Discard unused portion of the reconstituted solutions.

CELLCEPT Injection should not be mixed or administered concurrently via the same infusion catheter with other intravenous drugs or infusion admixtures.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

CELLCEPT is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

Capsules	250 mg mycophenolate mofetil, two-piece hard gelatin capsules, blue-brown, “CELLCEPT 250” printed in black on the blue cap and “Roche” on the brown body
Tablets	500 mg mycophenolate mofetil, lavender-colored, caplet-shaped, film-coated tablets printed in black with “CELLCEPT 500” on one side and “Roche” on the other
For oral suspension	35 g mycophenolate mofetil white to off-white powder for reconstitution (200 mg/mL upon reconstitution)
For injection	500 mg mycophenolate mofetil white to off-white lyophilized powder, in a single-dose vial for reconstitution

Storage And Handling

Handling And Disposal

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has demonstrated teratogenic effects in humans [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations]. CELLCEPT tablets should not be crushed and CELLCEPT capsules should not be opened or crushed. Wearing disposable gloves is recommended during reconstitution and when wiping the outer surface of the bottle/cap and the table after reconstitution. Avoid inhalation or direct contact with skin or mucous membranes of the powder contained in CELLCEPT capsules, CELLCEPT Oral Suspension (before or after constitution), or CELLCEPT Intravenous (during or after preparation) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures .

CELLCEPT (mycophenolate mofetil capsules) 250 mg

Capsules

Blue-brown, two-piece hard gelatin capsules, printed in black with “CELLCEPT 250” on the blue cap and “Roche” on the brown body.

Sizes

Bottle of 100 NDC 0004-0259-01
Bottle of 500 NDC 0004-0259-43

Storage

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)

CELLCEPT (mycophenolate mofetil tablets) 500 mg

Tablets

Lavender-colored, caplet-shaped, film-coated tablets printed in black with “CELLCEPT 500” on one side and “Roche” on the other

Sizes

Bottle of 100 NDC 0004-0260-01
Bottle of 500 NDC 0004-0260-43

Storage And Dispensing Information:

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Dispense in light-resistant containers, such as the manufacturer's original containers.

CELLCEPT Oral Suspension (mycophenolate mofetil), for oral suspension

For oral suspension: 35 g mycophenolate mofetil, white to off-white powder blend for constitution to a white to off-white mixed-fruit flavor suspension

225 mL bottle with bottle adapter and 2 oral dispensers NDC 0004-0261-29

Storage

Store dry powder at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Store constituted suspension at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) for up to 60 days. Storage in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) is acceptable. Do not freeze.

CELLCEPT Intravenous (mycophenolate mofetil for injection)

For injection: 500 mg mycophenolate mofetil in a 20 mL sterile single-dose vial cartons of 4 vials

Cartons of 4 single-dose vials NDC 0004-0298-09

Storage

Store powder and reconstituted infusion solution at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

REFERENCES

1. “OSHA Hazardous Drugs.” OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardousdrugs/index.html

Distributed by: Genentech USA, Inc., A Member of the Roche Group 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990. Revised: Dec 2019

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:

• Embryofetal Toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Lymphomas and Other Malignancies [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Serious Infections [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Blood Dyscrasias: Neutropenia, Pure Red Cell Aplasia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Gastrointestinal Complications [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Studies Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

An estimated total of 1557 patients received CELLCEPT during pivotal clinical trials in the prevention of acute organ rejection. Of these, 991 were included in the three renal studies, 277 were included in one hepatic study, and 289 were included in one cardiac study. Patients in all study arms also received cyclosporine and corticosteroids.

The data described below primarily derive from five randomized, active-controlled double-blind 12-month trials of CELLCEPT in de novo kidney (3) heart (1) and liver (1) transplant patients [see Clinical Studies].

CELLCEPT Oral

The incidence of adverse reactions for CELLCEPT was determined in five randomized, comparative, doubleblind trials in the prevention of rejection in kidney, heart and liver transplant patients (two active- and one placebo-controlled trials, one active-controlled trial, and one active-controlled trial, respectively) [see Clinical Studies].

The three de novo kidney studies with 12-month duration compared two dose levels of oral CELLCEPT (1 g twice daily and 1.5 g twice daily) with azathioprine (2 studies) or placebo (1 study) when administered in combination with cyclosporine (Sandimmune®) and corticosteroids to prevent acute rejection episodes. One study also included anti-thymocyte globulin (ATGAM®) induction therapy.

In the de novo heart transplantation study with 12-month duration, patients received CELLCEPT 1.5 g twice daily (n=289) or azathioprine 1.5 to 3 mg/kg/day (n=289), in combination with cyclosporine (Sandimmune® or Neoral®) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy.

In the de novo liver transplantation study with 12-month duration, patients received CELLCEPT 1 g twice daily intravenously for up to 14 days followed by CELLCEPT 1.5 g twice daily orally or azathioprine 1 to 2 mg/kg/day intravenously followed by azathioprine 1 to 2 mg/kg/day orally, in combination with cyclosporine (Neoral®) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. The total number of patients enrolled was 565.

Approximately 53% of the kidney transplant patients, 65% of the heart transplant patients, and 48% of the liver transplant patients were treated for more than 1 year. Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 20% of patients in the CELLCEPT treatment groups are presented below. The safety data of three kidney transplantation studies are pooled together.

Table 3 : Adverse Reactions in Controlled Studies of De Novo Kidney, Heart or Liver Transplantation Reported in ≥20% of Patients in the CELLCEPT Group

Adverse drug reaction (MedDRA) System Organ Class	Kidney Studies			Heart Study		Liver Study
	CellCept 2g/day (n=501) or 3g/day (n=490)	AZA 1 to 2 mg/kg/day or 100 to 150 mg/day	Placebo	CellCept 3g/day	AZA 1.5 to 3 mg/kg/day	CellCept 3g/day	AZA 1 to 2 mg/kg/day
	(n=991)%	(n=326)%	(n=166)%	(n=289)%	(n=289)%	(n=277)%	(n=287)%
Infections and infestations
Bacterial infections	39.9	33.7	37.3	-	-	27.4	26.5
Viral infections	-*	-	-	31.1	24.9	-	-
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia	20.0	23.6	2.4	45.0	47.1	43.0	53.0
Ecchymosis	-	-	-	20.1	9.7	-	-
Leukocytosis	-	-	-	42.6	37.4	22.4	21.3
Leukopenia	28.6	24.8	4.2	34.3	43.3	45.8	39.0
Thromb ocy topeni a	-	-	-	24.2	28.0	38.3	42.2
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hypercholesterolemia	-	-	-	46.0	43.9	-	-
Hyperglycemia	-	-	-	48.4	53.3	43.7	48.8
Hyperkalemia	-	-	-	-	-	22.0	23.7
Hypocalcemia	-	-	-	-	-	30.0	30.0
Hypokalemia	-	-	-	32.5	26.3	37.2	41.1
Hypomagnesemia	-	-	-	20.1	14.2	39.0	37.6
Psychiatric disorders
Depression	-	-	-	20.1	15.2	-	-
Insomnia	-	-	-	43.3	39.8	52.3	47.0
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness	-	-	-	34.3	33.9	-	-
Headache	-	-	-	58.5	55.4	53.8	49.1
Tremor	-	-	-	26.3	25.6	33.9	35.5
Cardiac disorders
Tachycardia	-	-	-	22.8	21.8	22.0	15.7
Vascular disorders
Hypertension	27.5	32.2	19.3	78.9	74.0	62.1	59.6
Hypotension	-	-	-	34.3	40.1	-	-
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough	-	-	-	40.5	32.2	-	-
Dyspnea	-	-	-	44.3	44.3	31.0	30.3
Pleural effusion	-	-	-	-	-	34.3	35.9
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain	22.4	23.0	11.4	41.9	39.4	62.5	51.2
Constipation	-	-	-	43.6	38.8	37.9	38.3
Decreased appetite	-	-	-	-	-	25.3	17.1
Diarrhea	30.4	20.9	13.9	52.6	39.4	51.3	49.8
Dyspepsia	-	-	-	22.1	22.1	22.4	20.9
Nausea	-	-	-	56.1	60.2	54.5	51.2
Vomiting	-	-	-	39.1	34.6	32.9	33.4
Hepatobiliary disorders
Blood lactate dehydrogenase increased	-	-	-	23.5	18.3	-	-
Hepatic enzyme increased	-	-	-	-	-	24.9	19.2
Skin and subcutaneous tissues disorders
Rash	-	-	-	26.0	20.8	-	-
Renal and urinary disorders
Blood creatinine increased	-	-	-	42.2	39.8	-	-
Blood urea increased	-	-	-	36.7	34.3	-	-
General disorders and administration site conditions
Asthenia	-	-	-	49.1	41.2	35.4	33.8
Edema†	21.0	28.2	8.4	67.5	55.7	48.4	47.7
Pain‡	24.8	32.2	9.6	79.2	77.5	74.0	77.5
Pyrexia	-	-	-	56.4	53.6	52.3	56.1
*“-” Indicates that the incidence was below the cutoff value of 20% for inclusion in the table. †“Edema” includes peripheral edema, facial edema, scrotal edema. ‡“Pain” includes musculoskeletal pain (myalgia, neck pain, back pain).

In the three de novo kidney studies, patients receiving 2 g/day of CELLCEPT had an overall better safety profile than did patients receiving 3 g/day of CELLCEPT.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD, pseudolymphoma) developed in 0.4% to 1% of patients receiving CELLCEPT (2 g or 3 g daily) with other immunosuppressive agents in controlled clinical trials of kidney, heart and liver transplant patients followed for at least 1 year [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Non-melanoma skin carcinomas occurred in 1.6% to 4.2% of patients, other types of malignancy in 0.7% to 2.1% of patients. Three-year safety data in kidney and heart transplant patients did not reveal any unexpected changes in incidence of malignancy compared to the 1-year data. In pediatric patients, PTLD was observed in 1.35% (2/148) by 12 months post-transplant.

Cytopenias, including leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia are a known risk associated with mycophenolate and may lead or contribute to the occurrence of infections and hemorrhages [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Severe neutropenia (ANC <0.5 x 10³/μL) developed in up to 2% of kidney transplant patients, up to 2.8% of heart transplant patients and up to 3.6% of liver transplant patients receiving CELLCEPT 3 g daily [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

The most common opportunistic infections in patients receiving CELLCEPT with other immunosuppressants were mucocutaneous candida, CMV viremia/syndrome, and herpes simplex. The proportion of patients with CMV viremia/syndrome was 13.5%. In patients receiving CELLCEPT (2 g or 3 g) in controlled studies for prevention of kidney, heart or liver rejection, fatal infection/sepsis occurred in approximately 2% of kidney and heart patients and in 5% of liver patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

The most serious gastrointestinal disorders reported were ulceration and hemorrhage, which are known risks associated with CELLCEPT. Mouth, esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and intestinal ulcers often complicated by hemorrhage, as well as hematemesis, melena, and hemorrhagic forms of gastritis and colitis were commonly reported during the pivotal clinical trials, while the most common gastrointestinal disorders were diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Endoscopic investigation of patients with CELLCEPT-related diarrhea revealed isolated cases of intestinal villous atrophy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

The following adverse reactions were reported with 3% to <20% incidence in kidney, heart, and liver transplant patients treated with CELLCEPT, in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids.

Table 4 : Adverse Reactions in Controlled Studies of De Novo Kidney, Heart or Liver Transplantation Reported in 3% to <20% of Patients Treated with CELLCEPT in Combination with Cyclosporine and Corticosteroids

System Organ Class	Adverse Reactions
Body as a Whole	cellulitis, chills, hernia, malaise
Infections and Infestations	fungal infections
Hematologic and Lymphatic	coagulation disorder, ecchymosis, pancytopenia
Urogenital	hematuria
Cardiovascular	hypotension
Metabolic and Nutritional	acidosis, alkaline phosphatase increased, hyperlipemia, hypophosphatemia, weight loss
Digestive	esophagitis, flatulence, gastritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatitis, ileus, nausea and vomiting, stomach ulcer, stomatitis
Neoplasm benign, malignant and unspecified	neoplasm
Skin and Appendages	skin benign neoplasm, skin carcinoma
Psychiatric	confusional state
Nervous	hypertonia, paresthesia, somnolence
Musculoskeletal	arthralgia, myasthenia

Pediatric Study

The type and frequency of adverse events in a clinical study for prevention of kidney allograft rejection in 100 pediatric patients 3 months to 18 years of age dosed with CELLCEPT oral suspension 600 mg/m² twice daily (up to 1 g twice daily) were generally similar to those observed in adult patients dosed with CELLCEPT capsules at a dose of 1 g twice daily with the exception of abdominal pain, fever, infection, pain, sepsis, diarrhea, vomiting, pharyngitis, respiratory tract infection, hypertension, leukopenia, and anemia, which were observed in a higher proportion in pediatric patients.

Geriatrics

Elderly patients (≥65 years), particularly those who are receiving CELLCEPT as part of a combination immunosuppressive regimen, may be at increased risk of certain infections (including cytomegalovirus [CMV] tissue invasive disease) and possibly gastrointestinal hemorrhage and pulmonary edema, compared to younger individuals [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

CELLCEPT Intravenous

The safety profile of CELLCEPT Intravenous was determined from a single, double-blind, controlled comparative study of the safety of 2 g/day of intravenous and oral CELLCEPT in kidney transplant patients in the immediate post-transplant period (administered for the first 5 days). The potential venous irritation of CELLCEPT Intravenous was evaluated by comparing the adverse reactions attributable to peripheral venous infusion of CELLCEPT Intravenous with those observed in the intravenous placebo group; patients in the placebo group received active medication by the oral route.

Adverse reactions attributable to peripheral venous infusion were phlebitis and thrombosis, both observed at 4% in patients treated with CELLCEPT Intravenous.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of CELLCEPT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

• Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Congenital malformations and spontaneous abortions, mainly in the first trimester, have been reported following exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in combination with other immunosuppressants during pregnancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and Use In Specific Populations]. Congenital malformations include:
  • Facial malformations: cleft lip, cleft palate, micrognathia, hypertelorism of the orbits
  • Abnormalities of the ear and eye: abnormally formed or absent external/middle ear, coloboma, microphthalmos
  • Malformations of the fingers: polydactyly, syndactyly, brachydactyly
  • Cardiac abnormalities: atrial and ventricular septal defects
  • Esophageal malformations: esophageal atresia
  • Nervous system malformations: such as spina bifida.
• Cardiovascular: Venous thrombosis has been reported in patients treated with CELLCEPT administered intravenously.
• Digestive: Colitis, pancreatitis
• General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: De novo purine synthesis inhibitors-associated acute inflammatory syndrome is a newly described paradoxical pro-inflammatory reaction associated with mycophenolate and other purine synthesis inhibitors, characterized by fever, arthralgias, arthritis, muscle pain and elevated inflammatory markers. Anecdotal literature reports showed rapid improvements following discontinuation of the drug.
• Hematologic and Lymphatic: Bone marrow failure, cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and hypogammaglobulinemia have been reported in patients treated with CELLCEPT in combination with other immunosuppressive agents [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Immune: Hypersensitivity, hypogammaglobinemia.
• Infections: Meningitis, infectious endocarditis, tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, BK virus infection, viral reactivation of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, protozoal infections [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Respiratory: Bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, fatal pulmonary fibrosis, have been reported rarely and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary symptoms ranging from dyspnea to respiratory failure in post-transplant patients receiving CELLCEPT.
• Vascular: Lymphocele

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Effect Of Other Drugs On CELLCEPT

Table 5 : Drug Interactions with CELLCEPT that Affect Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) Exposure

Antacids with Magnesium or Aluminum Hydroxide
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with an antacid containing magnesium or aluminum hydroxide decreases MPA systemic exposure [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy.
Prevention or Management	Administer magnesium or aluminum hydroxide containing antacids at least 2h after CELLCEPT administration.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with PPIs decreases MPA systemic exposure [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy.
Prevention or Management	Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy when PPIs are co-administered with CELLCEPT.
Examples	Lansoprazole, pantoprazole
Drugs that Interfere with Enterohepatic Recirculation
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with drugs that directly interfere with enterohepatic recirculation, or indirectly interfere with enterohepatic recirculation by altering the gastrointestinal flora, can decrease MPA systemic exposure [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy.
Prevention or Management	Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy or CELLCEPT related adverse reactions when these drugs are co-administered with CELLCEPT.
Examples	Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine), rifampin as well as aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone and penicillin classes of antimicrobials
Drugs Modulating Glucuronidation
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with drugs inducing glucuronidation decreases MPA systemic exposure, potentially reducing CELLCEPT efficacy, while use with drugs inhibiting glucuronidation increases MPA systemic exposure ]see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may increase the risk of CELLCEPT related adverse reactions.
Prevention or Management	Monitor patients for alterations in efficacy or CELLCEPT related adverse reactions when these drugs are co-administered with CELLCEPT.
Examples	Telmisartan (induces glucuronidation); isavuconazole (inhibits glucuronidation).
Calcium Free Phosphate Binders
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with calcium free phosphate binders decrease MPA systemic exposure [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may reduce CELLCEPT efficacy.
Prevention or Management	Administer calcium free phosphate binders at least 2 hours after CELLCEPT.
Examples	Sevelamer

Effect Of CELLCEPT On Other Drugs

Table 6 : Drug Interactions with CELLCEPT that Affect Other Drugs

Drugs that Undergo Renal Tubular Secretion
Clinical Impact	When concomitantly used with CELLCEPT, its metabolite MPAG, may compete with drugs eliminated by renal tubular secretion which may increase plasma concentrations and/or adverse reactions associated with these drugs.
Prevention or Management	Monitor for drug-related adverse reactions in patients with renal impairment.
Examples	Acyclovir, ganciclovir, probenecid, valacyclovir, valganciclovir
Combination Oral Contraceptives
Clinical Impact	Concomitant use with CELLCEPT decreased the systemic exposure to levonorgestrel, but did not affect the systemic exposure to ethinylestradiol [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may result in reduced combination oral contraceptive effectiveness.

WARNINGS

(see BOXED WARNING)

Embryofetal Toxicity

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Use of MMF during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of congenital malformations, especially external ear and other facial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate, and anomalies of the distal limbs, heart, esophagus, kidney and nervous system (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy).

Pregnancy Exposure Prevention And Planning

Females of reproductive potential must be made aware of the increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and congenital malformations and must be counseled regarding pregnancy prevention and planning. For recommended pregnancy testing and contraception methods (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy Exposure Prevention and Planning).

Lymphoma And Malignancy

Patients receiving immunosuppressive regimens involving combinations of drugs, including CellCept, as part of an immunosuppressive regimen are at increased risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). The risk appears to be related to the intensity and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent.

As usual for patients with increased risk for skin cancer, exposure to sunlight and UV light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma developed in 0.4% to 1% of patients receiving CellCept (2 g or 3 g) with other immunosuppressive agents in controlled clinical trials of renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplant patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

In pediatric patients, no other malignancies besides lymphoproliferative disorder (2/148 patients) have been observed (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Combination With Other Immunosuppressive Agents

CellCept has been administered in combination with the following agents in clinical trials: antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM®), OKT3 (Orthoclone OKT® 3), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®) and corticosteroids. The efficacy and safety of the use of CellCept in combination with other immunosuppressive agents have not been determined.

Serious Infections

Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including CellCept, are at increased risk of developing bacterial, fungal, protozoal and new or reactivated viral infections, including opportunistic infections. These infections may lead to serious, including fatal outcomes. Because of the danger of oversuppression of the immune system which can increase susceptibility to infection, combination immunosuppressant therapy should be used with caution (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

New Or Reactivated Viral Infections

Polyomavirus associated nephropathy (PVAN), JC virus associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, reactivation of hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) have been reported in patients treated with immunosuppressants, including CellCept. Reduction in immunosuppression should be considered for patients who develop evidence of new or reactivated viral infections. Physicians should also consider the risk that reduced immunosuppression represents to the functioning allograft.

PVAN, especially due to BK virus infection, is associated with serious outcomes, including deteriorating renal function and renal graft loss (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Postmarketing Experience). Patient monitoring may help detect patients at risk for PVAN.

PML, which is sometimes fatal, commonly presents with hemiparesis, apathy, confusion, cognitive deficiencies, and ataxia. Risk factors for PML include treatment with immunosuppressant therapies and impairment of immune function (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Postmarketing Experience). In immunosuppressed patients, physicians should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients reporting neurological symptoms and consultation with a neurologist should be considered as clinically indicated.

The risk of CMV viremia and CMV disease is highest among transplant recipients seronegative for CMV at time of transplant who receive a graft from a CMV seropositive donor. Therapeutic approaches to limiting CMV disease exist and should be routinely provided. Patient monitoring may help detect patients at risk for CMV disease.

Viral reactivation has been reported in patients infected with HBV or HCV. Monitoring infected patients for clinical and laboratory signs of active HBV or HCV infection is recommended.

Neutropenia

Severe neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 0.5 x 10³/μL] developed in up to 2.0% of renal, up to 2.8% of cardiac, and up to 3.6% of hepatic transplant patients receiving CellCept 3 g daily (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients receiving CellCept should be monitored for neutropenia (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests). The development of neutropenia may be related to CellCept itself, concomitant medications, viral infections, or some combination of these causes. If neutropenia develops (ANC < 1.3 x 10³/μL), dosing with CellCept should be interrupted or the dose reduced, appropriate diagnostic tests performed, and the patient managed appropriately (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Neutropenia has been observed most frequently in the period from 31 to 180 days posttransplant in patients treated for prevention of renal, cardiac, and hepatic rejection.

Patients receiving CellCept should be instructed to report immediately any evidence of infection, unexpected bruising, bleeding or any other manifestation of bone marrow depression.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)

Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with CellCept in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. The mechanism for mycophenolate mofetil induced PRCA is unknown; the relative contribution of other immunosuppressants and their combinations in an immunosuppression regimen are also unknown. In some cases, PRCA was found to be reversible with dose reduction or cessation of CellCept therapy. In transplant patients, however, reduced immunosuppression may place the graft at risk.

CAUTION: CELLCEPT INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION MUST NOT BE ADMINISTERED BY RAPID OR BOLUS INTRAVENOUS INJECTION.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnancy Exposure Prevention And Planning

Females of reproductive potential must be made aware of the increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and congenital malformations and must be counseled regarding pregnancy prevention and planning.

Females of reproductive potential include girls who have entered puberty and all women who have a uterus and have not passed through menopause. Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility. Menopause should be clinically confirmed by a patient's healthcare practitioner. Some commonly used diagnostic criteria include 1) 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea (not amenorrhea induced by a medical condition or medical therapy) or 2) postsurgical from a bilateral oophorectomy.

Pregnancy Testing

To prevent unplanned exposure during pregnancy, females of reproductive potential should have a serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL immediately before starting CellCept. Another pregnancy test with the same sensitivity should be done 8 to 10 days later. Repeat pregnancy tests should be performed during routine follow-up visits. Results of all pregnancy tests should be discussed with the patient.

In the event of a positive pregnancy test, females should be counseled with regard to whether the maternal benefits of mycophenolate treatment may outweigh the risks to the fetus in certain situations.

Contraception

Females of reproductive potential taking CellCept must receive contraceptive counseling and use acceptable contraception (see Table 8 for acceptable contraception methods). Patients must use acceptable birth control during entire CellCept therapy, and for 6 weeks after stopping CellCept, unless the patient chooses abstinence (she chooses to avoid heterosexual intercourse completely).

Patients should be aware that CellCept reduces blood levels of the hormones in the oral contraceptive pill and could theoretically reduce its effectiveness (see PATIENT INFORMATION and PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS: Oral Contraceptives).

Table 8 : Acceptable Contraception Methods for Females of Reproductive Potential Pick from the following birth control options:

Option 1
Methods to Use Alone	Intrauterine devices (IUDs) Tubal sterilization Patient’s partner had a vasectomy
OR
Option 2	Hormone Methods choose 1		Barrier Methods choose 1
Choose One Hormone Method AND One Barrier Method	Estrogen and Progesterone Oral Contraceptive Pill Transdermal patch Vaginal ring Progesterone-only Injection Implant	AND
OR
Option 3	Barrier Methods choose 1		Barrier Methods choose 1
Choose One Barrier Method from each column (must choose two methods)	Diaphragm with spermicide Cervical cap with spermicide Contraceptive sponge

Pregnancy Planning

For patients who are considering pregnancy, consider alternative immunosuppressants with less potential for embryofetal toxicity. Risks and benefits of CellCept should be discussed with the patient.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal bleeding (requiring hospitalization) has been observed in approximately 3% of renal, in 1.7% of cardiac, and in 5.4% of hepatic transplant patients treated with CellCept 3 g daily. In pediatric renal transplant patients, 5/148 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding (requiring hospitalization) were observed.

Gastrointestinal perforations have rarely been observed. Most patients receiving CellCept were also receiving other drugs known to be associated with these complications. Patients with active peptic ulcer disease were excluded from enrollment in studies with mycophenolate mofetil. Because CellCept has been associated with an increased incidence of digestive system adverse events, including infrequent cases of gastrointestinal tract ulceration, hemorrhage, and perforation, CellCept should be administered with caution in patients with active serious digestive system disease.

Patients With Renal Impairment

Subjects with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR < 25 mL/min/1.73 m²) who have received single doses of CellCept showed higher plasma MPA and MPAG AUCs relative to subjects with lesser degrees of renal impairment or normal healthy volunteers. No data are available on the safety of long-term exposure to these levels of MPAG. Doses of CellCept greater than 1 g administered twice a day to renal transplant patients should be avoided and they should be carefully observed (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

No data are available for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment. CellCept may be used for cardiac or hepatic transplant patients with severe chronic renal impairment if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

In patients with delayed renal graft function posttransplant, mean MPA AUC(0-12h) was comparable, but MPAG AUC(0-12h) was 2-fold to 3-fold higher, compared to that seen in posttransplant patients without delayed renal graft function. In the three controlled studies of prevention of renal rejection, there were 298 of 1483 patients (20%) with delayed graft function. Although patients with delayed graft function have a higher incidence of certain adverse events (anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperkalemia) than patients without delayed graft function, these events were not more frequent in patients receiving CellCept than azathioprine or placebo. No dose adjustment is recommended for these patients; however, they should be carefully observed (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Infections In Cardiac Transplant Patients

In cardiac transplant patients, the overall incidence of opportunistic infections was approximately 10% higher in patients treated with CellCept than in those receiving azathioprine therapy, but this difference was not associated with excess mortality due to infection/sepsis among patients treated with CellCept (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

There were more herpes virus (H. simplex, H. zoster, and cytomegalovirus) infections in cardiac transplant patients treated with CellCept compared to those treated with azathioprine (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Concomitant Medications

It is recommended that CellCept not be administered concomitantly with azathioprine because both have the potential to cause bone marrow suppression and such concomitant administration has not been studied clinically.

In view of the significant reduction in the AUC of MPA by cholestyramine, caution should be used in the concomitant administration of CellCept with drugs that interfere with enterohepatic recirculation because of the potential to reduce the efficacy of CellCept (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS).

Patients With HGPRT Deficiency

CellCept is an IMPDH (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase) inhibitor; therefore it should be avoided in patients with rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT) such as Lesch-Nyhan and Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome.

Immunizations

During treatment with CellCept, the use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided and patients should be advised that vaccinations may be less effective (see PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS: Live Vaccines).

Phenylketonurics

CellCept Oral Suspension contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine (0.56 mg phenylalanine/mL suspension). Therefore, care should be taken if CellCept Oral Suspension is administered to patients with phenylketonuria.

Information For Patients

See Medication Guide

• Inform females of reproductive potential that use of CellCept during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of congenital malformations, and advise them as to the appropriate steps to manage these risks, including that they must use acceptable contraception (see WARNINGS: Embryofetal Toxicity, PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy Exposure Prevention and Planning).
• Discuss pregnancy testing, pregnancy prevention and planning with females of reproductive potential. In the event of a positive pregnancy test, females should be counseled with regard to whether the maternal benefits of mycophenolate treatment may outweigh the risks to the fetus in certain situations.
• Females of reproductive potential must use acceptable birth control during entire CellCept therapy and for 6 weeks after stopping CellCept, unless the patient chooses to avoid heterosexual intercourse completely (abstinence) (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy Exposure Prevention and Planning, Table 8).
• For patients who are considering pregnancy, discuss appropriate alternative immunosuppressants with less potential for embryofetal toxicity. Risks and benefits of CellCept should be discussed with the patient.
• Give patients complete dosage instructions and inform them about the increased risk of lymphoproliferative disease and certain other malignancies.
• Inform patients that they need repeated appropriate laboratory tests while they are taking CellCept.
• Advise patients that they should not breastfeed during CellCept therapy.

Laboratory Tests

Complete blood counts should be performed weekly during the first month, twice monthly for the second and third months of treatment, then monthly through the first year (see WARNINGS, ADVERSE REACTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

In a 104-week oral carcinogenicity study in mice, mycophenolate mofetil in daily doses up to 180 mg/kg was not tumorigenic. The highest dose tested was 0.5 times the recommended clinical dose (2 g/day) in renal transplant patients and 0.3 times the recommended clinical dose (3 g/day) in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for differences in body surface area (BSA). In a 104-week oral carcinogenicity study in rats, mycophenolate mofetil in daily doses up to 15 mg/kg was not tumorigenic. The highest dose was 0.08 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.05 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. While these animal doses were lower than those given to patients, they were maximal in those species and were considered adequate to evaluate the potential for human risk (see WARNINGS).

The genotoxic potential of mycophenolate mofetil was determined in five assays. Mycophenolate mofetil was genotoxic in the mouse lymphoma/thymidine kinase assay and the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay. Mycophenolate mofetil was not genotoxic in the bacterial mutation assay, the yeast mitotic gene conversion assay or the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomal aberration assay.

Mycophenolate mofetil had no effect on fertility of male rats at oral doses up to 20 mg/kg/day. This dose represents 0.1 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.07 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. In a female fertility and reproduction study conducted in rats, oral doses of 4.5 mg/kg/day caused malformations (principally of the head and eyes) in the first generation offspring in the absence of maternal toxicity. This dose was 0.02 times the recommended clinical dose in renal transplant patients and 0.01 times the recommended clinical dose in cardiac transplant patients when corrected for BSA. No effects on fertility or reproductive parameters were evident in the dams or in the subsequent generation.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category D. See WARNINGS section.

Use of MMF during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of congenital malformations, especially external ear and other facial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate, and anomalies of the distal limbs, heart, esophagus, kidney, and nervous system. In animal studies, congenital malformations and pregnancy loss occurred when pregnant rats and rabbits received mycophenolic acid at dose multiples similar to and less than clinical doses. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Risks and benefits of CellCept should be discussed with the patient. When appropriate, consider alternative immunosuppressants with less potential for embryofetal toxicity. In certain situations, the patient and her healthcare practitioner may decide that the maternal benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. For those females using CellCept at any time during pregnancy and those becoming pregnant within 6 weeks of discontinuing therapy, the healthcare practitioner should report the pregnancy to the Mycophenolate Pregnancy Registry (1-800-617-8191). The healthcare practitioner should strongly encourage the patient to enroll in the pregnancy registry. The information provided to the registry will help the healthcare community better understand the effects of mycophenolate in pregnancy.

In the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR), there were data on 33 MMF-exposed pregnancies in 24 transplant patients; there were 15 spontaneous abortions (45%) and 18 live-born infants. Four of these 18 infants had structural malformations (22%). In postmarketing data (collected 1995-2007) on 77 females exposed to systemic MMF during pregnancy, 25 had spontaneous abortions and 14 had a malformed infant or fetus. Six of 14 malformed offspring had ear abnormalities. Because these postmarketing data are reported voluntarily, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of particular adverse outcomes. These malformations are similar to findings in animal reproductive toxicology studies. For comparison, the background rate for congenital anomalies in the United States is about 3%, and NTPR data show a rate of 4-5% among babies born to organ transplant patients using other immunosuppressive drugs.

In animal reproductive toxicology studies, there were increased rates of fetal resorptions and malformations in the absence of maternal toxicity. Female rats and rabbits received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) doses equivalent to 0.02 to 0.9 times the recommended human dose for renal and cardiac transplant patients, based on body surface area conversions. In rat offspring, malformations included anophthalmia, agnathia, and hydrocephaly. In rabbit offspring, malformations included ectopia cordis, ectopic kidneys, diaphragmatic hernia, and umbilical hernia.

Nursing Mothers

Studies in rats treated with mycophenolate mofetil have shown mycophenolic acid to be excreted in milk. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from mycophenolate mofetil, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Based on pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients after renal transplantation, the recommended dose of CellCept oral suspension is 600 mg/m² bid (up to a maximum of 1 g bid). Also see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Clinical Studies, ADVERSE REACTIONS, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients receiving allogeneic cardiac or hepatic transplants have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of CellCept did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and of concomitant or other drug therapy. Elderly patients may be at an increased risk of adverse reactions compared with younger individuals (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).

OVERDOSE

Possible signs and symptoms of acute overdose include hematological abnormalities such as leukopenia and neutropenia, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia.

The experience with overdose of CELLCEPT in humans is limited. The reported effects associated with overdose fall within the known safety profile of the drug. The highest dose administered to kidney transplant patients in clinical trials has been 4 g/day. In limited experience with heart and liver transplant patients in clinical trials, the highest doses used were 4 g/day or 5 g/day. At doses of 4 g/day or 5 g/day, there appears to be a higher rate, compared to the use of 3 g/day or less, of gastrointestinal intolerance (nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea), and occasional hematologic abnormalities, particularly neutropenia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Treatment And Management

MPA and the phenolic glucuronide metabolite of MPA (MPAG) are usually not removed by hemodialysis. However, at high MPAG plasma concentrations (>100 μg/mL), small amounts of MPAG are removed. By increasing excretion of the drug, MPA can be removed by bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Allergic reactions to CELLCEPT have been observed; therefore, CELLCEPT is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), mycophenolic acid (MPA) or any component of the drug product. CELLCEPT Intravenous is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN).

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is absorbed following oral administration and hydrolyzed to mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite. MPA is a selective, uncompetitive, and reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and therefore inhibits the de novo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis without incorporation into DNA. Because T- and B-lymphocytes are critically dependent for their proliferation on de novo synthesis of purines, whereas other cell types can utilize salvage pathways, MPA has potent cytostatic effects on lymphocytes. MPA inhibits proliferative responses of T- and B-lymphocytes to both mitogenic and allospecific stimulation. Addition of guanosine or deoxyguanosine reverses the cytostatic effects of MPA on lymphocytes. MPA also suppresses antibody formation by B-lymphocytes. MPA prevents the glycosylation of lymphocyte and monocyte glycoproteins that are involved in intercellular adhesion to endothelial cells and may inhibit recruitment of leukocytes into sites of inflammation and graft rejection. MMF did not inhibit early events in the activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, such as the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), but did block the coupling of these events to DNA synthesis and proliferation.

Pharmacodynamics

There is a lack of information regarding the pharmacodynamic effects of MMF.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following oral and intravenous administration, MMF undergoes complete conversion to MPA, the active metabolite. In 12 healthy volunteers, the mean absolute bioavailability of oral MMF relative to intravenous MMF was 94%. Two 500 mg CELLCEPT tablets have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg CELLCEPT capsules. Five mL of the 200 mg/mL constituted CELLCEPT oral suspension have been shown to be bioequivalent to four 250 mg capsules.

The mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters estimates for MPA following the administration of MMF given as single doses to healthy volunteers, and multiple doses to kidney, heart, and liver transplant patients, are shown in Table 8. The area under the plasma-concentration time curve (AUC) for MPA appears to increase in a doseproportional fashion in kidney transplant patients receiving multiple oral doses of MMF up to a daily dose of 3 g (1.5g twice daily) (see Table 8).

Table 8 : Pharmacokinetic Parameters for MPA [mean (±SD)] Following Administration of MMF to Healthy Volunteers (Single Dose), and Kidney, Heart, and Liver Transplant Patients (Multiple Doses)

Healthy Volunteers	Dose/Route	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	Total AUC (mcg•h/mL)
Single dose	1 g/oral	0.80 (±0.36) (n=129)	24.5 (±9.5) (n=129)	63.9 (±16.2) (n=117)
Kidney Transplant Patients (twice daily dosing) Time After Transplantation	Dose/Route	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	Interdosing Interval AUC(0-12h) (mcg•h/mL)
5 days	1 g/iv	1.58 (±0.46) (n=31)	12.0 (±3.82) (n=31)	40.8 (±11.4) (n=31)
6 days	1 g/oral	1.33 (±1.05) (n=31)	10.7 (±4.83) (n=31)	32.9 (±15.0) (n=31)
Early (Less than 40 days)	1 g/oral	1.31 (±0.76) (n=25)	8.16 (±4.50) (n=25)	27.3 (±10.9) (n=25)
Early (Less than 40 days)	1.5 g/oral	1.21 (±0.81) (n=27)	13.5 (±8.18) (n=27)	38.4 (±15.4) (n=27)
Late (Greater than 3 months)	1.5 g/oral	0.90 (±0.24) (n=23)	24.1 (±12.1) (n=23)	65.3 (±35.4) (n=23)
Heart transplant Patients (twice daily dosing) Time After Transplantation	Dose/Route	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	Interdosing Interval AUC(0-12h) (mcg•h/mL)
Early (Day before discharge)	1.5 g/oral	1.8 (±1.3) (n=ll)	11.5 (±6.8) (n=ll)	43.3 (±20.8) (n=9)
Late (Greater than 6 months)	1.5 g/oral	1.1 (±0.7) (n=52)	20.0 (±9.4) (n=52)	54.1* (±20.4) (n=49)
Liver transplant Patients (twice daily dosing) Time After Transplantation	Dose/Route	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	Interdosing Interval AUC(0-12h) (mcg•h/mL)
4 to 9 days	1 g/iv	1.50 (±0.517) (n=22)	17.0 (±12.7) (n=22)	34.0 (±17.4) (n=22)
Early (5 to 8 days)	1.5 g/oral	1.15 (±0.432) (n=20)	13.1 (±6.76) (n=20)	29.2 (±11.9) (n=20)
Late (Greater than 6 months)	1.5 g/oral	1.54 (±0.51) (n=6)	19.3 (±11.7) (n=6)	49.3 (±14.8) (n=6)
*AUC(0-12h) values quoted are extrapolated from data from samples collected over 4 hours.

In the early post-transplant period (less than 40 days post-transplant), kidney, heart, and liver transplant patients had mean MPA AUCs approximately 20% to 41% lower and mean Cmax approximately 32% to 44% lower compared to the late transplant period (i.e., 3 to 6 months post-transplant) (non-stationarity in MPA pharmacokinetics).

Mean MPA AUC values following administration of 1 g twice daily intravenous CELLCEPT over 2 hours to kidney transplant patients for 5 days were about 24% higher than those observed after oral administration of a similar dose in the immediate post-transplant phase.

In liver transplant patients, administration of 1 g twice daily intravenous CELLCEPT followed by 1.5 g twice daily oral CELLCEPT resulted in mean MPA AUC estimates similar to those found in kidney transplant patients administered 1 g CELLCEPT twice daily.

Effect Of Food

Food (27 g fat, 650 calories) had no effect on the extent of absorption (MPA AUC) of MMF when administered at doses of 1.5 g twice daily to kidney transplant patients. However, MPA Cmax was decreased by 40% in the presence of food [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Distribution

The mean (±SD) apparent volume of distribution of MPA in 12 healthy volunteers was approximately 3.6 (±1.5) L/kg. At clinically relevant concentrations, MPA is 97% bound to plasma albumin. The phenolic glucuronide metabolite of MPA (MPAG) is 82% bound to plasma albumin at MPAG concentration ranges that are normally seen in stable kidney transplant patients; however, at higher MPAG concentrations (observed in patients with kidney impairment or delayed kidney graft function), the binding of MPA may be reduced as a result of competition between MPAG and MPA for protein binding. Mean blood to plasma ratio of radioactivity concentrations was approximately 0.6 indicating that MPA and MPAG do not extensively distribute into the cellular fractions of blood.

In vitro studies to evaluate the effect of other agents on the binding of MPA to human serum albumin (HSA) or plasma proteins showed that salicylate (at 25 mg/dL with human serum albumin) and MPAG (at ≥ 460 mcg/mL with plasma proteins) increased the free fraction of MPA. MPA at concentrations as high as 100 mcg/mL had little effect on the binding of warfarin, digoxin or propranolol, but decreased the binding of theophylline from 53% to 45% and phenytoin from 90% to 87%.

Elimination

Mean (±SD) apparent half-life and plasma clearance of MPA are 17.9 (±6.5) hours and 193 (±48) mL/min following oral administration and 16.6 (±5.8) hours and 177 (±31) mL/min following intravenous administration, respectively.

Metabolism

The parent drug, MMF, can be measured systemically during the intravenous infusion; however, approximately 5 minutes after the infusion is stopped or after oral administration, MMF concentrations are below the limit of quantitation (0.4 mcg/mL).

Metabolism to MPA occurs pre-systemically after oral dosing. MPA is metabolized principally by glucuronyl transferase to form MPAG, which is not pharmacologically active. In vivo, MPAG is converted to MPA during enterohepatic recirculation. The following metabolites of the 2-hydroxyethyl-morpholino moiety are also recovered in the urine following oral administration of MMF to healthy subjects: N-(2-carboxymethyl)- morpholine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine, and the N-oxide of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine.

Due to the enterohepatic recirculation of MPAG/MPA, secondary peaks in the plasma MPA concentration-time profile are usually observed 6 to 12 hours post-dose. Bile sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, reduce MPA AUC by interfering with this enterohepatic recirculation of the drug [see OVERDOSE and DRUG INTERACTION Studies below].

Excretion

Negligible amount of drug is excreted as MPA (less than 1% of dose) in the urine. Orally administered radiolabeled MMF resulted in complete recovery of the administered dose, with 93% of the administered dose recovered in the urine and 6% recovered in feces. Most (about 87%) of the administered dose is excreted in the urine as MPAG. At clinically encountered concentrations, MPA and MPAG are usually not removed by hemodialysis. However, at high MPAG plasma concentrations (> 100 mcg/mL), small amounts of MPAG are removed.

Increased plasma concentrations of MMF metabolites (MPA 50% increase and MPAG about a 3-fold to 6-fold increase) are observed in patients with renal insufficiency [see Specific Populations].

Specific Populations

Patients With Renal Impairment

The mean (±SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for MPA following the administration of oral MMF given as single doses to non-transplant subjects with renal impairment are presented in Table 9.

In a single-dose study, MMF was administered as a capsule or as an intravenous infusion over 40 minutes. Plasma MPA AUC observed after oral dosing to volunteers with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR < 25 mL/min/1.73 m²) was about 75% higher relative to that observed in healthy volunteers (GFR > 80 mL/min/1.73 m²). In addition, the single-dose plasma MPAG AUC was 3-fold to 6-fold higher in volunteers with severe renal impairment than in volunteers with mild renal impairment or healthy volunteers, consistent with the known renal elimination of MPAG. No data are available on the safety of long-term exposure to this level of MPAG.

Plasma MPA AUC observed after single-dose (1 g) intravenous dosing to volunteers (n=4) with severe chronic renal impairment (GFR < 25 mL/min/1.73 m²) was 62.4 mcg•h/mL (±19.3). Multiple dosing of MMF in patients with severe chronic renal impairment has not been studied.

Patients With Delayed Graft Function Or Nonfunction

In patients with delayed renal graft function post-transplant, mean MPA AUC(0-12h) was comparable to that seen in post-transplant patients without delayed renal graft function. There is a potential for a transient increase in the free fraction and concentration of plasma MPA in patients with delayed renal graft function. However, dose adjustment does not appear to be necessary in patients with delayed renal graft function. Mean plasma MPAG AUC(0-12h) was 2-fold to 3-fold higher than in post-transplant patients without delayed renal graft function [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

In eight patients with primary graft non-function following kidney transplantation, plasma oncentrations of MPAG accumulated about 6-fold to 8-fold after multiple dosing for 28 days. Accumulation of MPA was about 1-fold to 2-fold.

The pharmacokinetics of MMF are not altered by hemodialysis. Hemodialysis usually does not remove MPA or MPAG. At high concentrations of MPAG (> 100 mcg/mL), hemodialysis removes only small amounts of MPAG.

Patients With Hepatic Impairment

The mean (± SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for MPA following the administration of oral MMF given as single doses to non-transplant subjects with hepatic impairment is presented in Table 9.

In a single-dose (1 g oral) study of 18 volunteers with alcoholic cirrhosis and 6 healthy volunteers, hepatic MPA glucuronidation processes appeared to be relatively unaffected by hepatic parenchymal disease when pharmacokinetic parameters of healthy volunteers and alcoholic cirrhosis patients within this study were compared. However, it should be noted that for unexplained reasons, the healthy volunteers in this study had about a 50% lower AUC as compared to healthy volunteers in other studies, thus making comparisons between volunteers with alcoholic cirrhosis and healthy volunteers difficult. In a single-dose (1 g intravenous) study of 6 volunteers with severe hepatic impairment (aminopyrine breath test less than 0.2% of dose) due to alcoholic cirrhosis, MMF was rapidly converted to MPA. MPA AUC was 44.1 mcg•h/mL (±15.5).

Table 9 : Pharmacokinetic Parameters for MPA [mean (±SD)] Following Single Doses of MMF Capsules in Chronic Renal and Hepatic Impairment

Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Renal Impairment
	Dose	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	AUC(0- 96h) (mcg•h/mL)
Healthy Volunteers GFR greater than 80 mL/min/1.73 m² (n=6)	1 g	0.75 (±0.27)	25.3 (±7.99)	45.0 (±22.6)
Mild Renal Impairment GFR 50 to 80 mL/min/1.73 m² (n=6)	1 g	0.75 (±0.27)	26.0 (±3.82)	59.9 (±12.9)
Moderate Renal Impairment GFR 25 to 49 mL/min/1.73 m² (n=6)	1 g	0.75 (±0.27)	19.0 (±13.2)	52.9 (±25.5)
Severe Renal Impairment GFR less than 25 mL/min/1.73 m² (n=7)	1 g	1.00 (±0.41)	16.3 (±10.8)	78.6 (±46.4)
Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Hepatic Impairment
	Dose	Tmax (h)	Cmax (mcg/mL)	AUC(0- 48h) (mcg•h/mL)
Healthy Volunteers (n=6)	1 g	0.63 (±0.14)	24.3 (±5.73)	29.0 (±5.78)
Alcoholic Cirrhosis (n=18)	1 g	0.85 (±0.58)	22.4 (±10.1)	29.8 (±10.7)

Pediatric Patients

The pharmacokinetic parameters of MPA and MPAG have been evaluated in 55 pediatric patients (ranging from 1 year to 18 years of age) receiving CELLCEPT oral suspension at a dose of 600 mg/m twice daily (up to a maximum of 1 g twice daily) after allogeneic kidney transplantation. The pharmacokinetic data for MPA is provided in Table 10.

Table 10 : Mean (±SD) Computed Pharmacokinetic Parameters for MPA by Age and Time after Allogeneic Kidney Transplantation

Age Group	(n)	Time	1	max (h)	Dose Adjusted* Cmax (mcg/mL)		Dose Adjusted* AUC0-12 (mcg•h/mL)
1 to less than 2 yr	(6)†	Early (Day 7)	3.03	(4.70)	10.3	(5.80)	22.5	(6.66)
1 to less than 6 yr	(17)		1.63	(2.85)	13.2	(7.16)	27.4	(9.54)
6 to less than 12 yr	(16)		0.940	(0.546)	13.1	(6.30)	33.2	(12.1)
12 to 18 yr	(21)		1.16	(0.830)	11.7	(10.7)	26.3	(9.14)‡
1 to less than 2 yr	(4)†	Late (Month 3)	0.725	(0.276)	23.8	(13.4)	47.4	(14.7)
1 to less than 6 yr	(15)		0.989	(0.511)	22.7	(10.1)	49.7	(18.2)
6 to less than 12 yr	(14)		1.21	(0.532)	27.8	(14.3)	61.9	(19.6)
12 to 18 yr	(17)		0.978	(0.484)	17.9	(9.57)	53.6	(20.3)§
1 to less than 2 yr	(4)†	Late (Month 9)	0.604	(0.208)	25.6	(4.25)	55.8	(11.6)
1 to less than 6 yr	(12)		0.869	(0.479)	30.4	(9.16)	61.0	(10.7)
6 to less than 12 yr	(11)		1.12	(0.462)	29.2	(12.6)	66.8	(21.2)
12 to 18 yr	(14)		1.09	(0.518)	18.1	(7.29)	56.7	(14.0)
*adjusted to a dose of 600 mg/m² †a subset of 1 to <6 yr ‡n=20 § n=16

The CELLCEPT oral suspension dose of 600 mg/m² twice daily (up to a maximum of 1 g twice daily) achieved mean MPA AUC values in pediatric patients similar to those seen in adult kidney transplant patients receiving CELLCEPT capsules at a dose of 1 g twice daily in the early post-transplant period. There was wide variability in the data. As observed in adults, early post-transplant MPA AUC values were approximately 45% to 53% lower than those observed in the later post-transplant period (>3 months). MPA AUC values were similar in the early and late post-transplant period across the 1 to 18-year age range.

Male And Female Patients

Data obtained from several studies were pooled to look at any gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of MPA (data were adjusted to 1 g oral dose). Mean (±SD) MPA AUC (0-12h) for males (n=79) was 32.0 (±14.5) and for females (n=41) was 36.5 (±18.8) mcg•h/mL while mean (±SD) MPA C was 9.96 (±6.19) in the males and 10.6 (±5.64) mcg/mL in the females. These differences are not of clinical significance.

Geriatric Patients

The pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil and its metabolites have not been found to be altered in elderly transplant patients when compared to younger transplant patients.

Drug Interaction Studies

Acyclovir

Coadministration of MMF (1 g) and acyclovir (800 mg) to 12 healthy volunteers resulted in no significant change in MPA AUC and Cmax. However, MPAG and acyclovir plasma AUCs were increased 10.6% and 21.9%, respectively.

Antacids With Magnesium And Aluminum Hydroxides

Absorption of a single dose of MMF (2 g) was decreased when administered to 10 rheumatoid arthritis patients also taking Maalox® TC (10 mL qid). The Cmax and AUC(0-24h) for MPA were 33% and 17% lower, respectively, than when MMF was administered alone under fasting conditions.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Coadministration of PPIs (e.g., lansoprazole, pantoprazole) in single doses to healthy volunteers and multiple doses to transplant patients receiving CELLCEPT has been reported to reduce the exposure to MPA. An approximate reduction of 30 to 70% in the C and 25% to 35% in the AUC of MPA has been observed, possibly due to a decrease in MPA solubility at an increased gastric pH.

Cholestyramine

Following single-dose administration of 1.5 g MMF to 12 healthy volunteers pretreated with 4 g three times a day of cholestyramine for 4 days, MPA AUC decreased approximately 40%. This decrease is consistent with interruption of enterohepatic recirculation which may be due to binding of recirculating MPAG with cholestyramine in the intestine.

Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine (Sandimmune®) pharmacokinetics (at doses of 275 to 415 mg/day) were unaffected by single and multiple doses of 1.5 g twice daily of MMF in 10 stable kidney transplant patients. The mean (±SD) AUC(0- 12h) and Cmax of cyclosporine after 14 days of multiple doses of MMF were 3290 (±822) ng•h/mL and 753 (±161) ng/mL, respectively, compared to 3245 (±1088) ng•h/mL and 700 (±246) ng/mL, respectively, 1 week before administration of MMF.

Cyclosporine A interferes with MPA enterohepatic recirculation. In kidney transplant patients, mean MPA exposure (AUC(0-12h)) was approximately 30-50% greater when MMF was administered without cyclosporine compared with when MMF was coadministered with cyclosporine. This interaction is due to cyclosporine inhibition of multidrug-resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP-2) transporter in the biliary tract, thereby preventing the excretion of MPAG into the bile that would lead to enterohepatic recirculation of MPA. This information should be taken into consideration when MMF is used without cyclosporine.

Drugs Affecting Glucuronidation

Concomitant administration of drugs inhibiting glucuronidation of MPA may increase MPA exposure (e.g., increase of MPA AUC (0-∞) by 35% was observed with concomitant administration of isavuconazole).

Concomitant administration of telmisartan and CELLCEPT resulted in an approximately 30% decrease in MPA concentrations. Telmisartan changes MPA's elimination by enhancing PPAR gamma (peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma) expression, which in turn results in an enhanced UGT1A9 expression and glucuronidation activity.

Ganciclovir

Following single-dose administration to 12 stable kidney transplant patients, no pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between MMF (1.5 g) and intravenous ganciclovir (5 mg/kg). Mean (±SD) ganciclovir AUC and Cmax (n=10) were 54.3 (±19.0) mcg•h/mL and 11.5 (±1.8) mcg/mL, respectively, after coadministration of the two drugs, compared to 51.0 (±17.0) mcg•h/mL and 10.6 (±2.0) mcg/mL, respectively, after administration of intravenous ganciclovir alone. The mean (±SD) AUC and Cmax of MPA (n=12) after coadministration were 80.9 (±21.6) mcg•h/mL and 27.8 (±13.9) mcg/mL, respectively, compared to values of 80.3 (±16.4) μg•h/mL and 30.9 (±11.2) mcg/mL, respectively, after administration of MMF alone.

Oral Contraceptives

A study of coadministration of CELLCEPT (1 g twice daily) and combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol (0.02 mg to 0.04 mg) and levonorgestrel (0.05 mg to 0.20 mg), desogestrel (0.15 mg) or gestodene (0.05 mg to 0.10 mg) was conducted in 18 women with psoriasis over 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Mean serum levels of LH, FSH and progesterone were not significantly affected. Mean AUC(0-24h) was similar for ethinylestradiol and 3-keto desogestrel; however, mean levonorgestrel AUC(0-24h) significantly decreased by about 15%. There was large inter-patient variability (%CV in the range of 60% to 70%) in the data, especially for ethinylestradiol.

Sevelamer

Concomitant administration of sevelamer and MMF in adult and pediatric patients decreased the mean MPA Cmax and AUC (0-12h) by 36% and 26% respectively.

Antimicrobials

Antimicrobials eliminating beta-glucuronidase-producing bacteria in the intestine (e.g. aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone, and penicillin classes of antimicrobials) may interfere with the MPAG/MPA enterohepatic recirculation thus leading to reduced systemic MPA exposure. Information concerning antibiotics is as follows:

• Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole: Following single-dose administration of MMF (1.5 g) to 12 healthy male volunteers on day 8 of a 10-day course of trimethoprim 160 mg/sulfamethoxazole 800 mg administered twice daily, no effect on the bioavailability of MPA was observed. The mean (±SD) AUC and Cmax of MPA after concomitant administration were 75.2 (±19.8) mcg•h/mL and 34.0 (±6.6) μg/mL, respectively, compared to 79.2 (±27.9) mcg•h/mL and 34.2 (±10.7) mcg/mL, respectively, after administration of MMF alone.
• Norfloxacin and Metronidazole: Following single-dose administration of MMF (1 g) to 11 healthy volunteers on day 4 of a 5-day course of a combination of norfloxacin and metronidazole, the mean MPA AUC(0-48h) was significantly reduced by 33% compared to the administration of MMF alone (p<0.05). The mean (±SD) MPA AUC(0-48h) after coadministration of MMF with norfloxacin or metronidazole separately was 48.3 (±24) mcg•h/mL and 42.7 (±23) mcg•h/mL, respectively, compared with 56.2 (±24) mcg•h/mL after administration of MMF alone.
• Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin Plus Clavulanic Acid: A total of 64 CELLCEPT-treated kidney transplant recipients received either oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid 375 mg three times daily for 7 or at least 14 days, respectively. Approximately 50% reductions in median trough MPA concentrations (pre-dose) from baseline (CELLCEPT alone) were observed in 3 days following
• commencement of oral ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. These reductions in trough MPA concentrations tended to diminish within 14 days of antimicrobial therapy and ceased within 3 days of discontinuation of antibiotics.
• Rifampin: In a single heart-lung transplant patient, after correction for dose, a 67% decrease in MPA exposure (AUC(0-12h)) has been observed with concomitant administration of MMF and rifampin.

Clinical Studies

Kidney Transplantation

Adults

The three de novo kidney transplantation studies compared two dose levels of oral CELLCEPT (1 g twice daily and 1.5 g twice daily) with azathioprine (2 studies) or placebo (1 study) to prevent acute rejection episodes. One of the two studies with azathioprine (AZA) control arm also included anti-thymocyte globulin (ATGAM®) induction therapy. The geographic location of the investigational sites of these studies are included in Table 11.

In all three de novo kidney transplantation studies, the primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients in each treatment group who experienced treatment failure within the first 6 months after transplantation. Treatment failure was defined as biopsy-proven acute rejection on treatment or the occurrence of death, graft loss or early termination from the study for any reason without prior biopsy-proven rejection.

CELLCEPT, in combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, reduced (statistically significant at 0.05 level) the incidence of treatment failure within the first 6 months following transplantation (Table 11). Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of death or graft loss, and the cumulative incidence of graft loss and patient death combined are summarized in Table 12. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were not followed for the occurrence of acute rejection after termination.

Table 11 : Treatment Failure in De Novo Kidney Transplantation Studies

USA Study (N=499 patients)	CELLCEPT 2 g/day (n=167 patients)	CELLCEPT 3 g/day (n=166 patients)	AZA 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (n=166 patients)
	All 3 groups received anti-thymocyte globulin induction, cyclosporine and corticosteroids
All treatment failures	31.1%	31.3%	47.6%
Early termination without prior acute rejection	9.6%	12.7%	6.0%
Biopsy-proven rejection episode on treatment	19.8%	17.5%	38.0%
Europe/Canada/Australia Study (N=503 patients)	CELLCEPT 2 g/day (n=173 patients)	CELLCEPT 3 g/day (n=164 patients)	AZA 100 to 150 mg/day (n=166 patients)
	No induction treatment administered; all 3 groups received cyclosporine and corticosteroids.
All treatment failures	38.2%	34.8%	50.0%
Early termination without prior acute rejection	13.9%	15.2%	10.2%
Biopsy-proven rejection episode on treatment	19.7%	15.9%	35.5%
Europe Study (N=491 patients)	CELLCEPT 2 g/day (n=165 patients)	CELLCEPT 3 g/day (n=160 patients)	Placebo (n=166 patients)
	No induction treatment administered; all 3 groups received cyclosporine and corticosteroids.
All treatment failures	30.3%	38.8%	56.0%
Early termination without prior acute rejection	11.5%	22.5%	7.2%
Biopsy-proven rejection episode on treatment	17.0%	13.8%	46.4%
*Does not include death and graft loss as reason for early termination.

No advantage of CELLCEPT at 12 months with respect to graft loss or patient death (combined) was established (Table 12). Numerically, patients receiving CELLCEPT 2 g/day and 3 g/day experienced a better outcome than controls in all three studies; patients receiving CELLCEPT 2 g/day experienced a better outcome than CELLCEPT 3 g/day in two of the three studies. Patients in all treatment groups who terminated treatment early were found to have a poor outcome with respect to graft loss or patient death at 1 year.

Table 12 : De Novo Kidney Transplantation Studies Cumulative Incidence of Combined Graft Loss or Patient Death at 12 Months

Study	CELLCEPT 2 g/day	CELLCEPT 3 g/day	Control (AZA or Placebo)
USA	8.5%	11.5%	12.2%
Europe/Canada/Australia	11.7%	11.0%	13.6%
Europe	8.5%	10.0%	11.5%

Pediatrics- De Novo Kidney Transplantation PK Study With Long Term Follow-Up

One open-label, safety and pharmacokinetic study of CELLCEPT oral suspension 600 mg/m² twice daily (up to 1 g twice daily) in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids was performed at centers in the United States (9), Europe (5) and Australia (1) in 100 pediatric patients (3 months to 18 years of age) for the prevention of renal allograft rejection. CELLCEPT was well tolerated in pediatric patients [see ADVERSE REACTIONS], and the pharmacokinetics profile was similar to that seen in adult patients dosed with 1 g twice daily CELLCEPT capsules [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. The rate of biopsy-proven rejection was similar across the age groups (3 months to <6 years, 6 years to <12 years, 12 years to 18 years). The overall biopsyproven rejection rate at 6 months was comparable to adults. The combined incidence of graft loss (5%) and patient death (2%) at 12 months post-transplant was similar to that observed in adult kidney transplant patients.

Heart Transplantation

A double-blind, randomized, comparative, parallel-group, multicenter study in primary de novo heart transplant recipients was performed at centers in the United States (20), in Canada (1), in Europe (5) and in Australia (2). The total number of patients enrolled (ITT population) was 650; 72 never received study drug and 578 received study drug (Safety Population). Patients received CELLCEPT 1.5 g twice daily (n=289) or AZA 1.5 to 3 mg/kg/day (n=289), in combination with cyclosporine (Sandimmune or Neoral ) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. The two primary efficacy endpoints were: (1) the proportion of patients who, after transplantation, had at least one endomyocardial biopsy-proven rejection with hemodynamic compromise, or were re-transplanted or died, within the first 6 months, and (2) the proportion of patients who died or were re-transplanted during the first 12 months following transplantation. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of allograft rejection for up to 6 months and for the occurrence of death for 1 year.

The analyses of the endpoints showed:

• Rejection: No difference was established between CELLCEPT and AZA with respect to biopsy-proven rejection with hemodynamic compromise.
• Survival: CELLCEPT was shown to be at least as effective as AZA in preventing death or re-transplantation at 1 year (see Table 13).

Table 13 : De Novo Heart Transplantation Study Rejection at 6 Months/Death or Re-transplantation at 1 Year

	All Patients (ITT)		Treated Patients
	AZA N = 323	CELLCEPT N = 327	AZA N = 289	CELLCEPT N = 289
Biopsy-proven rejection with hemodynamic compromise at 6 months*	121 (38%)	120 (37%)	100 (35%)	92 (32%)
Death or re-transplantation at 1 year	49 (15.2%)	42 (12.8%)	33 (11.4%)	18(6.2%)
*Hemodynamic compromise occurred if any of the following criteria were met: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≥20 mm or a 25% increase; cardiac index <2.0 L/min/m² or a 25% decrease; ejection fraction ≤30%; pulmonary artery oxygen saturation ≤60% or a 25% decrease; presence of new S3 gallop; fractional shortening was ≤20% or a 25% decrease; inotropic support required to manage the clinical condition.

Liver Transplantation

A double-blind, randomized, comparative, parallel-group, multicenter study in primary hepatic transplant recipients was performed at centers in the United States (16), in Canada (2), in Europe (4) and in Australia (1). The total number of patients enrolled was 565. Per protocol, patients received CELLCEPT 1 g twice daily intravenously for up to 14 days followed by CELLCEPT 1.5 g twice daily orally or AZA 1 to 2 mg/kg/day intravenously followed by AZA 1 to 2 mg/kg/day orally, in combination with cyclosporine (Neoral ) and corticosteroids as maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. The actual median oral dose of AZA on study was 1.5 mg/kg/day (range of 0.3 to 3.8 mg/kg/day) initially and 1.26 mg/kg/day (range of 0.3 to 3.8 mg/kg/day) at 12 months. The two primary endpoints were: (1) the proportion of patients who experienced, in the first 6 months post-transplantation, one or more episodes of biopsy-proven and treated rejection or death or retransplantation, and (2) the proportion of patients who experienced graft loss (death or re-transplantation) during the first 12 months post-transplantation. Patients who prematurely discontinued treatment were followed for the occurrence of allograft rejection and for the occurrence of graft loss (death or re-transplantation) for 1 year.

In combination with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, CELLCEPT demonstrated a lower rate of acute rejection at 6 months and a similar rate of death or re-transplantation at 1 year compared to AZA (Table 14).

Table 14 : De Novo Liver Transplantation Study Rejection at 6 Months/Death or Retransplantation at 1 Year

	AZA N = 287	CELLCEPT N = 278
Biopsy-proven, treated rejection at 6 months (includes death or retransplantation)	137 (47.7%)	107 (38.5%)
Death or re-transplantation at 1 year	42 (14.6%)	41 (14.7%)

PATIENT INFORMATION

CELLCEPT®
(mycophenolate mofetil) capsules, for oral use

CELLCEPT®
(mycophenolate mofetil) tablets, for oral use

CELLCEPT® Oral Suspension
(mycophenolate mofetil), for oral suspension

CELLCEPT® Intravenous
(mycophenolate mofetil) for injection, for intravenous use

Read the Medication Guide that comes with CELLCEPT before you start taking it and each time you refill your prescription. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?

CELLCEPT can cause serious side effects, including:

Increased risk of loss of a pregnancy (miscarriage) and higher risk of birth defects. Females who take CELLCEPT during pregnancy have a higher risk of miscarriage during the first 3 months (first trimester), and a higher risk that their baby will be born with birth defects.

• If you are a female who can become pregnant, your doctor must talk with you about acceptable birth control methods (contraceptive counseling) to use while taking CELLCEPT. You should have 1 pregnancy test immediately before starting CELLCEPT and another pregnancy test 8 to 10 days later. Pregnancy tests should be repeated during routine follow-up visits with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the results of all of your pregnancy tests.
• You must use acceptable birth control during your entire CELLCEPT treatment and for 6 weeks after stopping CELLCEPT, unless at any time you choose to avoid sexual intercourse (abstinence) with a man completely. CELLCEPT decreases blood levels of the hormones in birth control pills that you take by mouth. Birth control pills may not work as well while you take CELLCEPT, and you could become pregnant. If you take birth control pills while using CELLCEPT you must also use another form of birth control. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods that you can use while taking CELLCEPT.
• If you are a sexually active male whose female partner can become pregnant while you are taking CELLCEPT, use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 90 days after stopping CELLCEPT.
• If you plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. Your doctor will decide if other medicines to prevent rejection may be right for you.
• If you become pregnant while taking CELLCEPT, do not stop taking CELLCEPT. Call your doctor right away. You and your doctor may decide that other medicines to prevent rejection may be right for you. You and your doctor should report your pregnancy to the Mycophenolate Pregnancy Registry either:
  • By phone at 1-800-617-8191 or
  • By visiting the REMS website at: www.mycophenolateREMS.com

The purpose of this registry is to gather information about the health of you and your baby.

Increased risk of getting certain cancers. People who take CELLCEPT have a higher risk of getting lymphoma, and other cancers, especially skin cancer. Tell your doctor if you have:

• unexplained fever, prolonged tiredness, weight loss or lymph node swelling
• a brown or black skin lesion with uneven borders, or one part of the lesion does not look like the other
• a change in the size and color of a mole
• a new skin lesion or bump
• any other changes to your health

Increased risk of getting serious infections. CELLCEPT weakens the body's immune system and affects your ability to fight infections. Serious infections can happen with CELLCEPT and can lead to hospitalizations and death. These serious infections can include:

• Viral infections. Certain viruses can live in your body and cause active infections when your immune system is weak. Viral infections that can happen with CELLCEPT include:
  • Shingles, other herpes infections, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV can cause serious tissue and blood infections.
  • BK virus. BK virus can affect how your kidney works and cause your transplanted kidney to fail.
  • Hepatitis B and C viruses. Hepatitis viruses can affect how your liver works. Talk to your doctor about how hepatitis viruses may affect you.
• A brain infection called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). In some patients, CELLCEPT may cause an infection of the brain that may cause death. You are at risk for this brain infection because you have a weakened immune system. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
  • weakness on one side of the body
  • you do not care about things you usually care about (apathy)
  • you are confused or have
  • problems thinking
  • you cannot control your muscles
• Fungal infections. Yeasts and other types of fungal infections can happen with CELLCEPT and can cause serious tissue and blood infections (See “What are the possible side effects of CELLCEPT?”).

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of infection:

• temperature of 100.5°F or greater
• cold symptoms, such as a runny nose or sore throat
• flu symptoms, such as an upset stomach, stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea
• earache or headache
• pain during urination
• white patches in the mouth or throat
• unexpected bruising or bleeding
• cuts, scrapes or incisions that are red, warm and oozing pus

See “What are the possible side effects of CELLCEPT?” for information about other serious side effects.

What is CELLCEPT?

• CELLCEPT is a prescription medicine to prevent rejection (antirejection medicine) in people who have received a kidney, heart or liver transplant. Rejection is when the body's immune system perceives the new organ as a “foreign” threat and attacks it.
• CELLCEPT is used with other medicines containing cyclosporine and corticosteroids.

Who should not take CELLCEPT?

Do not take CELLCEPT if you are allergic to mycophenolate mofetil or any of the ingredients in CELLCEPT. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in CELLCEPT.

What should I tell my doctor before taking CELLCEPT?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any digestive problems, such as ulcers.
• have Phenylketonuria (PKU). CELLCEPT oral suspension contains aspartame (a source of phenylalanine).
• have Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome, or another rare inherited deficiency
• hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT). You should not take CELLCEPT if you have one of these disorders.
• plan to receive any vaccines. People taking CELLCEPT should not receive live vaccines. Some vaccines may not work as well during treatment with CELLCEPT.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if CELLCEPT passes into breast milk. You and your doctor will decide if you will take CELLCEPT or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect the way CELLCEPT works, and CELLCEPT may affect how some medicines work.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• birth control pills (oral contraceptives). See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”
• sevelamer (Renagel®, Renvela™). These products should be taken at least 2 hours after taking CELLCEPT.
• acyclovir (Zovirax®), valacyclovir (Valtrex®), ganciclovir (CYTOVENE®-IV, Vitrasert®), valganciclovir (VALCYTE®).
• rifampin (Rifater®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®, Rifadin®).
• antacids that contain magnesium and aluminum (CELLCEPT and the antacid should not be taken at the same time).
• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (Prevacid®, Protonix®).
• sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (BACTRIM™, BACTRIM DS™).
• norfloxacin (Noroxin®) and metronidazole (Flagyl®, Flagyl® ER, Flagyl® IV, Metro IV, Helidac®, Pylera™).
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro®, Cipro® XR, Ciloxan®, Proquin® XR) and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (Augmentin®, Augmentin XR™).
• azathioprine (Azasan®, Imuran®).
• cholestyramine (Questran Light®, Questran®, Locholest Light, Locholest, Prevalite®).

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your doctor or nurse and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Do not take any new medicine without talking with your doctor.

How should I take CELLCEPT?

• Take CELLCEPT exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking CELLCEPT or change the dose unless your doctor tells you to.
• If you miss a dose of CELLCEPT, or you are not sure when you took your last dose, take your prescribed dose of CELLCEPT as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 2 hours away, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your normal scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Call your doctor if you are not sure what to do.
• Take CELLCEPT capsules, tablets and oral suspension on an empty stomach, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not crush CELLCEPT tablets.
• Do not open or crush CELLCEPT capsules.
• If you are not able to swallow CELLCEPT tablets or capsules, your doctor may prescribe CELLCEPT Oral Suspension. This is a liquid form of CELLCEPT. Your pharmacist will mix the medicine before you pick it up from a pharmacy.
• Do not mix CELLCEPT Oral Suspension with any other medicine. CELLCEPT Oral Suspension should not be mixed with any type of liquids before taking the dose. See the Instructions for Use at the end of this Medication Guide for detailed instructions about how to take CELLCEPT Oral Suspension the right way.
• Do not breathe in (inhale) or let CELLCEPT powder or oral suspension come in contact with your skin or mucous membranes.
  • If you accidentally get the powder or oral suspension on the skin, wash the area well with soap and water.
  • If you accidentally get the powder or oral suspension in your eyes or other mucous membranes, flush with plain water.
• If you take too much CELLCEPT, call your doctor or the poison control center right away.

What should I avoid while taking CELLCEPT?

• Avoid becoming pregnant. See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”
• Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Avoid using tanning beds or sunlamps. People who take CELLCEPT have a higher risk of getting skin cancer (See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”). Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use a broadspectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor. This is especially important if your skin is very fair or if you have a family history of skin cancer.
• You should not donate blood while taking CELLCEPT and for at least 6 weeks after stopping CELLCEPT.
• You should not donate sperm while taking CELLCEPT and for 90 days after stopping CELLCEPT.
• CELLCEPT may influence your ability to drive and use machines (See “What are the possible side effects of CELLCEPT?”. If you experience drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, tremor, or low blood pressure during treatment with CELLCEPT, you should be cautious about driving or using heavy machines.

What are the possible side effects of CELLCEPT?

CELLCEPT can cause serious side effects, including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”
• Low blood cell counts. People taking high doses of CELLCEPT each day may have a decrease in blood counts, including:
  • white blood cells, especially neutrophils. Neutrophils fight against bacterial infections. You have a higher chance of getting an infection when your white blood cell count is low. This is most common from 1 month to 6 months after your transplant.
  • red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your body tissues. You have a higher chance of getting severe anemia when your red blood cell count is low.
  • platelets. Platelets help with blood clotting.

Your doctor will do blood tests before you start taking CELLCEPT and during treatment with CELLCEPT to check your blood cell counts.Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (See “What is the most important information I should know about CELLCEPT?”), including any unexpected bruising or bleeding. Also, tell your doctor if you have unusual tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness or fainting.

• Stomach problems. Stomach problems including intestinal bleeding, a tear in your intestinal wall (perforation) or stomach ulcers can happen in people who take CELLCEPT. Bleeding can be severe and you may have to be hospitalized for treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have sudden or severe stomach-area pain or stomach-area pain that does not go away, or if you have diarrhea.

The most common side effects of CELLCEPT include:

• diarrhea
• blood problems including low white and red
• blood cell counts
• infections
• blood pressure problems
• fast heart beat
• swelling of the lower legs, ankles and feet
• changes in laboratory blood levels, including high
• levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• stomach problems including diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting
• rash
• nervous system problems such as headache,
• dizziness and tremor

Side effects that can happen more often in children than in adults taking CELLCEPT include:

• stomach area pain
• fever
• infection
• pain
• blood infection (sepsis)
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• sore throat
• colds (respiratory tract infections)
• high blood pressure
• low white blood cell count
• low red blood cell count

These are not all of the possible side effects of CELLCEPT. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA- 1088.

You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

How should I store CELLCEPT?

• Store CELLCEPT capsules and tablets at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Keep CELLCEPT tablets in the light resistant container that it comes in.
• Store CELLCEPT Oral Suspension at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), for up to 60 days. You can also store CELLCEPT Oral Suspension in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.

Keep CELLCEPT and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General Information about the safe and effective use of CELLCEPT.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use CELLCEPT for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give CELLCEPT to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about CELLCEPT. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about CELLCEPT that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in CELLCEPT?

Active Ingredient: mycophenolate mofetil

Inactive Ingredients:

CELLCEPT 250 mg capsules: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone (K-90) and pregelatinized starch. The capsule shells contain black iron oxide, FD&C blue #2, gelatin, red iron oxide, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.

CELLCEPT 500 mg tablets: black iron oxide, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone (K-90), red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide; may also contain ammonium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and shellac.

CELLCEPT Oral Suspension: aspartame, citric acid anhydrous, colloidal silicon dioxide, methylparaben, mixed fruit flavor, sodium citrate dihydrate, sorbitol, soybean lecithin, and xanthan gum.

CELLCEPT Intravenous: polysorbate 80, and citric acid. Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid may have been used in the manufacture of CELLCEPT Intravenous to adjust the pH.

Instructions for use

CELLCEPT®
[SEL-sept] (mycophenolate mofetil for oral suspension)

Be sure that you read, understand and follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper dosing of CELLCEPT Oral Suspension.

Important:

• Always use the oral dispenser provided with CELLCEPT Oral Suspension to make sure you measure the right amount of medicine.
• Call your pharmacist if your oral dispenser is lost or damaged.
• Your pharmacist will write the expiration date on your CELLCEPT Oral Suspension bottle label. Do not use after the expiration date.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or are unsure about how to take your dose of medicine.

To take a dose of CELLCEPT Oral Suspension, you will need the bottle of medicine and an oral dispenser provided with the medicine (See Figure 1). Your pharmacist will insert the bottle adapter in the CELLCEPT Oral Suspension bottle.

Figure 1

Step 1: With the child-resistant cap on the bottle, shake the bottle well for about 5 seconds before each use.

Step 2: Open the bottle by pressing down on the child-resistant bottle cap and turning it counter-clockwise (to the left). Do not throw away the child-resistant bottle cap.

Step 3: Before inserting the tip of the oral dispenser into the bottle adapter, push the plunger completely down toward the tip of the oral dispenser. Insert the tip firmly into the opening of the bottle adapter.

Step 4: Carefully turn the bottle upside down with the oral dispenser in place. Slowly pull the plunger down to withdraw your prescribed dose. Do not pull the plunger out of the oral dispenser (See Figure 2).

Figure 2

Step 5: Leave the oral dispenser in the bottle and turn the bottle to an upright position. Slowly remove the oral dispenser from the bottle.

Step 6: Place the tip of the oral dispenser in the patient's mouth and slowly push the plunger down until the oral dispenser is empty. The CELLCEPT oral suspension that is in the oral dispenser should not be mixed with any type of liquids before taking the dose.

Step 7: Put the child-resistant bottle cap back on the bottle after each use.

Step 8: Rinse the oral dispenser under running tap water after each use:

• Remove the plunger from the oral dispenser.
• Rinse the oral dispenser and plunger with water and let them air dry.
• When the oral dispenser and plunger are dry, put the plunger back in the oral dispenser for the next use.

Important:

• Do not let CELLCEPT Oral Suspension come in contact with the skin. If this happens, wash the skin well with soap and water.
• If you spill any oral suspension, wipe it up using paper towels wet with water. Put the child-resistant bottle cap back on the bottle and wipe the outside of the bottle with wet paper towels.

How should I store CELLCEPT Oral Suspension?

• Store the CELLCEPT Oral Suspension at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), for up to 60 days. You can also store CELLCEPT Oral Suspension in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
• Do not freeze.

Keep CELLCEPT Oral Suspension and all medicines out of the reach of children.

This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.