10 CellCept (Mycophenolate Mofetil) Side Effects, and How to Manage Them

Receiving a new organ is a life-saving journey that offers a chance to live a better life. But it also comes with some risks. One risk is transplant rejection. This happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks a transplanted organ.

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is one beneficial tool for preventing organ rejection. The medication works by calming down your immune system to help your body accept the new organ. This helps prevent many types of transplant rejections, including those of the kidney, heart, and liver.

CellCept has several potential side effects, though. Successfully managing these side effects is one part of ensuring a positive experience with CellCept.

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CellCept side effects at a glance

Common CellCept side effects include:

• Low blood cell counts

• Muscle, neck, or back pain

• High blood pressure

• Swelling 

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

• Weakness

• High blood sugar (glucose)

• High cholesterol

• Trouble sleeping

• Viral infection

Less common but potentially serious CellCept risks include:

• Severe infection

• Shortness of breath

• Stomach bleeding

• Miscarriage — if used during pregnancy 

• Increased risk of certain cancers

• Allergic reactions

Below, we’ll review 10 notable CellCept side effects and what you can do to manage them.

Keep in mind: This list isn’t comprehensive. Be sure to talk to your transplant team if you have questions about side effects while taking CellCept.

1. Changes in blood cell counts

Changes to your blood cell counts are possible while taking CellCept. These include low red blood cells (cells that carry oxygen throughout your body) and white blood cells (cells that help fight infection). This increases your risk for anemia and infection, respectively.

CellCept can also lower the amount of platelets in your body. Platelets are cells that clump together and stop bleeding in your body. When their amount is lowered, it can cause bruising.

Your transplant specialist will likely analyze your bloodwork before starting to prescribe CellCept and routinely while you’re taking it. If your blood counts ever become substantially out of range, they may decrease your CellCept dose or recommend that you stop taking CellCept — temporarily or altogether.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Your comparison guide: Many medications can help prevent organ transplant rejection. Learn about the different types of anti-rejection drugs and how they work.

• Foods to avoid: Here’s a list of the top foods to limit or avoid while taking CellCept.

• Know what’s ahead: Read about one person’s experience being a living organ donor.

2. Infection

CellCept can raise your risk of infection. This includes bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. CellCept does this by weakening your immune system. You should watch for symptoms of an infection while you’re taking CellCept. Symptoms of an infection include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Cough

• Muscle aches

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Unexplained tiredness

Let your transplant specialist know right away if you experience any of these symptoms, even if they feel minor. They may lower your CellCept dose or recommend pausing your prescription so they can treat the infection. If the infection is severe, you may need to stop taking CellCept.

CellCept can also reactivate hepatitis B and C infections if you’ve had them before. Your transplant specialist will likely test you for them before prescribing CellCept.

3. Muscle, neck, or back pain

Some people taking CellCept report having muscle, neck, or back pain. Depending on your symptoms, you can try applying ice or heat to ease the pain. Light stretching can help, too.

What’s more, CellCept may rarely cause acute inflammatory syndrome. This is when your immune system is overactive and causes inflammation and pain in different parts of your body. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include fever, joint or muscle pain, as well as changes to lab results. These symptoms can happen within weeks to months of starting CellCept or after a dose increase.

To be safe, let your transplant specialist know right away if you have any of these symptoms. They may recommend that you stop taking CellCept.

4. High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a more common CellCept side effect. Your transplant specialist should regularly assess your blood pressure during your routine appointments. But you should monitor your blood pressure at home, too. This is because high blood pressure typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms.

Make sure to ask about your target blood pressure so you know what readings are normal. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day and following the DASH diet are effective ways to maintain or work toward your target blood pressure.

If lifestyle changes aren’t doing enough to manage your blood pressure, your transplant specialist may prescribe a blood pressure medication.

5. High cholesterol

Another common side effect that you may experience with CellCept is high cholesterol. Like high blood pressure, it typically doesn’t cause symptoms.

Your transplant specialist should check your cholesterol levels before prescribing you CellCept and routinely while you’re taking it. Limiting ultra-processed foods and working toward your target body weight are effective ways to lower your cholesterol.

If further support is needed, your transplant specialist may recommend taking a cholesterol-lowering medication.

6. Blood glucose changes

CellCept can also raise blood glucose (sugar) levels. It’s recommended to routinely monitor your blood glucose while taking it. Your transplant specialist may do this for you at your scheduled appointments, or they may ask you to do it at home.

Symptoms of high blood glucose can include feeling thirsty, tired, or weak. Blurred vision and headaches are also possible.

7. Diarrhea or constipation

Many people taking CellCept experience diarrhea or constipation at some point. Both can happen for many reasons, so it’s difficult to tell if the medication is causing them. Thankfully, there are ways to manage diarrhea and constipation at home regardless.

If you experience mild diarrhea, try to avoid spicy, greasy, and fried foods. You’ll also want to avoid high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal and legumes, since they can make diarrhea worse. Prioritizing bland foods should be easier on your stomach. Staying hydrated is also important to help prevent dehydration if you experience persistent diarrhea. When needed, over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal medications can be helpful for occasional relief.

To manage constipation, try increasing your physical activity and eating more fiber to help get things moving. Also, drink plenty of water. This helps increase the water content of your stool, helping it pass more easily through your intestines. If needed, an OTC stool softener or laxative can provide additional relief.

Keep in mind: Check with your transplant specialist before trying any OTC diarrhea or constipation medications. They can recommend the safest option to manage your symptoms.

8. Nausea and vomiting

Nausea is another common CellCept side effect. Vomiting could also occur.

If you’re experiencing nausea or vomiting while taking CellCept, there are a few things you can try. Temporary diet adjustments can help with mild nausea symptoms. Eating smaller but more frequent meals, avoiding spicy and fried foods, and drinking more fluids may also help.

If these changes don’t help, your transplant specialist may suggest taking an OTC antinausea medication. They may also recommend that you take a prescription antinausea medication or adjust your CellCept dose.

Good to know: It’s best to take CellCept on an empty stomach to help your body absorb it better, improving its effectiveness. But if you’re experiencing nausea while taking CellCept, your transplant specialist may suggest taking it with a light meal.

9. Dizziness or weakness

Some people may feel dizzy or weak while taking CellCept. It’s a good idea to use caution while driving until you know how CellCept affects you.

To manage dizziness, try to move slowly to prevent falls. Avoiding sudden movements or position changes may also help. It’s also ideal to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking CellCept. Alcohol can worsen dizziness. If you’re feeling weak, try to find a safe place to sit or lie down to prevent falling.

Talk to your transplant specialist if your dizziness or weakness become bothersome or don’t go away. There may be another factor at play.

10. Certain cancers

Although rare, CellCept has been linked to certain types of cancer. Lymphoma and skin cancers were the most commonly reported types in clinical studies. The risk seems to be linked to how much and how long your immune system is suppressed (rather than the medication itself).

Your transplant specialist will determine your cancer risk before starting to prescribe you CellCept and will reassess your risk routinely while you’re taking it.

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Written by:

Nikki Javit, PharmD

Nikki Javit, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with certifications in international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology from Indiana University Bloomington and her doctor of pharmacy degree from Butler University.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

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