Tuesday, August 18, 2009

FDA Strengthens warning for CellCept

The following warning was posted by the FDA.

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) August 2009
Audience: Renal, cardiac, and hepatic transplantation healthcare professionals

[Posted 08/14/2009] Roche notified healthcare professionals that cases of Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with CellCept. The WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS sections of the CellCept Prescribing Information have been revised to reflect this new safety information.

PRCA is a type of anemia in which there is a selective reduction of red blood cell precursors on bone marrow examination. Patients with PRCA may present with fatigue, lethargy, and/or abnormal paleness of the skin (pallor). In some cases, PRCA was found to be reversible with dose reduction or cessation of CellCept therapy. In transplant patients, however, reduced immunosuppression may place the graft at risk.

See the Drug warning issued by Roche Laboratories Inc.

See CellCept Prescribing Information, revised.

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