Imuran or Cellcept ?
 

Went to Neuro today after 5 day IVIG last week and he wants to do IVIG every 4 wks. Need to get med-port for infusions. He also said I should research Imuran and cellcept to take along with the mestinon. He wants me to let him know by next week. (Dr thinks cellcept is the best choice but wants me to choose) Any thoughts??????

I was on Cellcept for 12 years - overall had good results with no side affects. Took about 3000 mg/day. In April 2013 switched to Imuran (150 mg/day) and again, seems to be working with no side affects.

Had to switch up several meds because the mg was taking over and I had tried all the standard treatments

Cellcept is definitely the new drug (came out in about 2000) and that is usually the one most neuros want to start with these days.

Good luck!

Juanita

Cellcept is helping me. I really haven't noticed any side effects.

I am not on either.. but the rheumy seems to like immuran, while the neuros seem to like cellcept.. just preference sounds like.. I haven't gathered that there was a black and white reason or benefit to one or the other

I take cellcept. Cellcept is more expensive than Imuran, so your insurance company may have something to say about it. I did some research on the internet about it. Cellcept seems to be more preferred for MG because of less side-effects.


kathie

I take cellcept and it is wonderful - very few side effects. I took Imuran and had to discontinue it - liver enzymes went up very high and I developed melanoma which required surgery and fortunately was caught early. Imuran had a lot of rough side effects when I started it and I would never take it again.

Took Imuran for 12 months and it made me very sick. I lost 35 pounds. I'm on Cellcept now and my life is livable but will never be the same.
Mike

I have been on Cellcept (500 mg twice a day) since September and have few side effects. I was able to wean off prednisone this month. I am not doing as well since I stopped the pred but I am still doing okay. I have good and bad days. The cold weather has really affected me
Sandy

What side effects were noticed for those of you who are/were on Imuran? Did any of you notice an increase in weakness by any chance??

Check out section 2.8.4 Immunomodulatory Drugs in the MG Manual, page 19:

Myasthenia Gravis: A Manual for the Health Care Provider (PDF)

IF you search for "Imuran side effects" in the forum you will get many specific threads on the topic.

Here is the WebMD page for Imuran:

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-13983-Imuran+Oral.aspx?drugid=13983&drugname=Imuran+Oral

Here is the WebMD page for Cellcept:

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-13983-Imuran+Oral.aspx?drugid=13983&drugname=celcept+Ora l

I have only been on Preds for less than a month, so it will be awhile before I start with immunosuppresents. When the time comes, my neurologist prefers Cellcept.

-Mark-

There is a generic Cellcept that is inexpensive - don't let the cost stop you from trying Cellcept if that is your choice in all other ways.

It was very expensive before the generic became available, but not so much now.

Juanijta

cellcept generic
 

I take 1000mg mycophenolate mofeteil (generic for cellcept) twice daily - good results and much less expensive.

I chose imuran because I knew I wanted kids someday and cellcept is too risky. I have had absolutely NO side effects with imuran and I've been well maintained on it for five years. Other than general end of day fatigue or extra stress I've been asymptomatic. Every person is different. I'm glad I made that choice. Now I'm off imuran and on Ivig working on conceiving. If you are female of childbearing age.. It is definitely something to consider. It did take several months to build up in my system and I had to be on Prednisone longer than I wanted....but once I was off Prednisone and done with all its nasty side effects, it's been all good.