• Grapefruit does not affect the immunosuppressant drug Cellcept.grapefruit image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com
  
  Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) is an immunosuppressant drug which helps to prevent rejection of new organs following organ transplant surgery. While grapefruit juice has been found to increase the plasma concentration of some immunosuppressant drugs, such as Cyclosporine, Cellcept has no known food or beverage interactions.
  
  

Cellcept Warnings

• You cannot stop taking Cellcept, or you risk organ rejection. Avoid being near people with communicable diseases, including colds. Cellcept can cause harm to an unborn baby and may be excreted in breastmilk, so women of child-bearing age are required to use two reliable forms of birth control. Do not receive a live vaccine while using Cellcept. Avoid exposure to ultraviolet light (such as tanning beds).
  
  

Cellcept Drug Interactions

• While Cellcept does not have any food interactions (including grapefruit), it may affect certain medications, including cholestyramine (Questran); antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan, Proquin), amoxicillin and clavulanate (Augmentin); antiviral drugs like acyclovir (Zovirax), ganciclovir (Cytovene), or valacyclovir (Valtrex); or other immunosuppressant drugs, such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or daclizumab (Zenapax). Discuss with your transplant team all medications and supplements you take before going on Cellcept, and let them know if you take anything new while being treated with Cellcept.
  
  

Cellcept Side Effects

• Cellcept does not interact with grapefruit, but it is known to have side effects which can be serious. Common side effects include decreased white blood cell count and stomach upset or diarrhea. Serious side effects may include flu-like symptoms like fever and body aches; fast heart rate; breathing difficulties; weakness or loss of coordination; vision, speech or memory problems; coughing up or vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; easy bruising and bleeding and more. Talk to your transplant team immediately about any troublesome side effect that arises.