Though initially developed as a drug to help prevent organ rejection after a transplant, Cellcept has shown promise in treating lupus. It has fewer side effects than some more common lupus medications and is particularly effective in treating kidney disease associated with lupus. A 2004 study by the Mayo Clinic showed that nearly all lupus patients taking Cellcept experienced some improvement of their symptoms.
Cellcept has shown promise for treating lupus patients
The Facts
Cellcept is an immunosuppressant drug. After a transplant, it suppresses the immune system so that the body does not attack the new organ. As lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy organs in the body, Cellcept's immunosuppressant ability can help slow the disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, Cellcept is especially promising in halting lupus attacks on the kidneys and preventing kidney failure, a major risk for lupus patients.
How It Works
According to Dr. Reinhard Baildon, clinical and regulatory affairs head for Asperva, the drug company that discovered Cellcept's usefulness as a lupus treatment, Cellcept interferes with T and B cells. These immune system cells are the ones that attack in patients with lupus. Cellcept disrupts these cells and decreases the activity of the entire immune system.
Cellcept versus Other Treatments
Cellcept has far fewer side effects than other lupus medications, according to Baildon. Chemotherapy drugs and steroids are the usual drugs of choice in patients experiencing kidney disease because of lupus. These drugs can cause infertility, weakened bones, nausea and hair loss. Cellcept can cause your hands and feet to swell, headache and nausea at the start of treatment. Since Cellcept does suppress the immune system, it may leave you more vulnerable to infection and increase your cancer risk, although the same is true of chemotherapy drugs used to treat lupus as well.
Mayo Clinic Study
In 2004, the Mayo Clinic performed a study on the effectiveness of Cellcept as a lupus treatment and presented the findings at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting that year. They tested the drug on 18 patients in the early stages of lupus. Of that 18, 12 showed "significant" improvement in their lupus symptoms. Researchers involved in the study concluded that Cellcept is a good alternative medicine for doctors to have at their disposal when treating lupus, either as the primary treatment or in combination with other medications.
Taking Cellcept
Cellcept is usually only prescribed for patients with severe lupus whose kidneys are being damaged by the disease. It is taken in pill form. Drug information website Drugs.com recommends that you take the pills without crushing them as Cellcept may be dangerous if it gets on your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, since lupus tends to have periods of flares and remissions, your doctor may need to adjust your medications several times to respond to your symptoms. Your doctor will work closely with you while you are taking Cellcept to track your progress.
