Cellcept is a medication normally used in heart or liver transplant patients to prevent organ rejection. Cellcept lowers immune system response.
However, Cellcept has also recently been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of Multiple Sclerosis. Several clinical trials are in progress combining Cellcept with the subcutaneous interferon treatment Avonex. Results are promising, and could potentially be a viable treatment for patients with Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). Cellcept is also an off-label treatment for lupus. It is an effective immunosuppresent.
Mycophenolate is already a generic name of the original drug Cellcept. The active ingredient is mycophenolate mofetil.
Study of CellCept and prednisone as immunotherapy in the treatment of MG. Another is the study of Etanercept to determine if it improves muscle strength in patients with MG.
(4E)-​6-​(4-​hydroxy-​6-​methoxy-​7-​methyl-​3-​oxo-​1,​3-​dihydro-​2-​benzofuran-​5-​yl)-​4-​methylhex-​4-​enoic acid. Courtesy of wikipedia
Yes. They are often given together to treat Lyme disease
The dose for Prograf (Tacrolimus) is decided on blood concentration - i.e via a blood test. The concentration of Prograf in your bloodsteam is very variable between patients, as it's based on bodyweight, whether you eat at the same time as taking the drug, what you eat, what other drugs you are on and other factors. It's not possible to generalise what dosage you should expect to be on two months post-transplant, except that the dose will still be quite high at this stage. (since you're only two months post-transplant). I'm not familiar with Cellcept in the long term - tried it a couple of times and it didn't work for me.
yes it is, my mom has had lupus fpr over 8 years and it has she just began her treatments about 6 months ago. They are working alot! : )
There are 4 Food and Drug Administration medications for the treatment of lupus:AspirinPrednisoneHydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)Belimumab (Benlysta)Off label medications include prescription anti-inflammatories, rituxan (Rituxamab), cytoxan, azathioprine, methotrexate and other immunosuppressive medications.
Medications vary widely based on what organs are affected by the autoimmune activity. Antimalarials, prednisone and NSAIDS are used most commonly. Chemotherapies like methotrexate and cytoxan are sometimes used. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) which is used to prevent organ transplant rejection is now being used for many lupus patients. New biologics are being developed which interrupt the autoimmune activity at the level of B cells. Benlysta is on its way to FDA approval and will be the first new medication developed and approved specifically for lupus since November 20, 1958.
Up until recently the American Dental Association recommended prophylactic antibiotics one hour prior to any dental work includiing cleaning. The concern is for the possibility of bacterial endocarditis. At my last cleaning, my dentist informed me that the ADA changed those guidelines this year. However, my rheumatologist prefers to continue prophylactic antibiotics (2 g amoxicillin). I have SLE with nephritis. I take Cellcept to manage it, which is the same drug transplant patients take to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ.
There is no cure for Lupus. It can only be treated. The most popular treatments are anti-inflammatories. Plaquenil and Prednisone are popular drugs used to treat Lupus. In some cases immunosupressant drugs are needed to suppress the immune system. There are two goals in the treatment of lupus. The first is to provide relief for the symptoms. The second is to prevent or minimize permanent damage. NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are available over the counter. Plaquenil or hydroxychloroquine (an anti-malarial) is a maintenance medication that works to prevent communication in the immune cells and thus prevent them from attacking self. Prednisone is a steroid that suppressed the entire immune system without discretion. Long term side effects include osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, diabetes, cataracts and atherosclerosis. Short term use is one of the most efficient ways to bring a flare under control. Other chemotherapy immunosuppressives may be used like methotrexate, cytoxan, azathioprine, and mycophenoloate mofetil (Cellcept). Current clinical trials on lymphostat B, a monoclonal antibody, are very promising and some are in their fifth year. However, November 20, 1958 was the last time a new medication was approved specifically for the treatment of lupus.
Sjogren's syndrome is a disorder of the immune system often defined by its two most common and first symtoms-dry eyes and a dry mouth. In Sjogren's syndrome, the immune system attacks healthy tissue. Any age can develop this syndrome yet most people are older than 40 when diagnosed. There is no cure but treatment can relieve symptoms. Most need to be on nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This group of medications help to relieve both pain and inflammation. Your opthamologist may recommend topical nonsteroidal eyedrops, used with caution, so not to injure your cornea. Some doctors prescribe Hydrochloroquine (Plaquenil), are useful if you have inflamed joints. Pilocarpine (Salagen) can be prescribed for dry mouth symptoms, but is not an option if you have poorly controlled asthma, cardiovascular disease or pregnant. Cevimeline (Evoxac) is also for dry mouths, it works by causing mouth to produce more saliva. Immunosuppressants are some meds that doctors may prescribe if problems arise. These medicines are cyclophosphamide (Cytooxan), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), mycophenolate (CellCept) and azathioprine IImuran). So, if there is a particular problem of the immune system, the doctor can pinpoint the particular problem with one of these last medications I listed. There is a minor surgery available to relieve dry eyes. There is also a new technique that drops are made from a persons own serum/the reports have been that the drops are beneficial in patients with dry eyes.
Chlorella has been shown to reduce the side effects of radiation therapy. Early research suggests chlorella tablets plus chlorella liquid extract might help people with a type of brain cancer called glioma better tolerate chemotherapy and radiation treatments, possibly by boosting the immune system. Unfortunately, chlorella doesn't seem to slow the progression of the cancer or improve survival.Some people also use chlorella for the prevention of stress-related ulcers; treatment of constipation, bad breath, and hypertension; as an antioxidant; to reducecholesterol; to increase energy; to detoxify the body; and as a source of magnesium to promote mental health, relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduce asthma attacks. It is also used for fibromyalgia.NOTE:Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with CHLORELLA Chlorella might increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system, chlorella might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease the immune system.Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CHLORELLA Chlorella contains large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help blood clot. Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. By helping the blood clot, chlorella might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin). Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.