Cellcept and white blood count

[curran61]

My cellcept blood got taken and my white count is sitting at 2.9...I'm the winter it dropped to 1.3...I don't want that happening again! Is this a sign that Cellcept is no longer an opt option for me? Been on 750xtwice daily

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.

Hi Mandy,

My advice is for you to see your lupus specialist because only they can give you the answer.

Cellcept or mycophenolate mofetil.

Immunosuppressives are medications that help suppress the immune system. Many were originally used in patients who received organ transplants to help prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplanted organ. However, these drugs are now also used for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In people with lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Most immunosuppressives work to downregulate (suppress) this attack by interfering with the synthesis of DNA, the material in your cells that contains the blueprints for all of your genetic information. In doing this, these medications prevent the cells of your immune system from dividing. When cells cannot divide correctly, they will eventually die. The immunosuppressives prescribed most commonly for the treatment of lupus include , mycophenolate (Cellcept).

Because immunosuppressive drugs put down the immune system, people taking them are at an increased risk for infection. Try to stay away from people who have colds or other illnesses, and make sure to wash your hands regularly and maintain good personal hygiene. If you are also taking steroid medications, you may not realize that you are ill because the steroid may suppress your fever symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately at the first sign of any infection or illness.

Cellcept is an immunosuppressant used especially for lupus patients with signs of kidney disease. It works by targeting an enzyme in the body—a protein responsible for certain chemical reactions—that is important in the formation of DNA in your cells. In doing so, Cellcept impairs your immune system function as well. Usually Cellcept is given twice a day for a total dose of about 2000-3000 milligrams (mg) per day, but this dosage may be reduced. Cellcept is steroid-sparing, so it may allow you and your doctor to reduce your dosage of steroid medications and thus also reduce their side effects.

Cellcept may cause some side effects. The most common effects include stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Headache, dizziness, sleeplessness, and tremors (involuntary muscle movements) may also occur. Skin rashes can arise but are less common. Since lupus can also cause skin rashes, it may be difficult to determine whether a rash is from your medication or your lupus. You should speak with your doctor upon detecting any new rashes or symptoms.

Cellcept may also cause a reduction in the number of certain cells in your blood. A reduction in your white blood cell count could increase your chance of infection. As with other immunosuppressive medications, it is important that you try to avoid infection and notify your doctor at the first sign of illness. In addition, a reduction in red blood cells caused by Cellcept may lead to anemia, which could make you tired or lead to easy bruising. Cellcept can also reduce the number of platelets in your blood, which may also cause easy bruising or gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding anywhere along the pathway that food travels in the body). Obtaining periodic blood tests while taking Cellcept can help you and your doctor to detect and correct these problems. Blood tests should be performed frequently during the first several months of taking this medication and less often as more time passes.

I hope the above is helpful. The drop in your white count is therefore a side-effect of Cellcept. Hopefully, Cellcept will nevertheless help you with your lupus, which may be to do with your kidneys?

Do you have a good system? Family, friends are important, but sometimes we may need more. It is "normal" to feel depressed or anxious at times.

We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.

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I look forward to talking with you more!

Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.

With good wishes!

Ros

Disclaimer: No attempt is made to diagnose or to make any medical judgement. You are advised to seek the advice from your own physician. LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) is not a substitute for your own doctor.