Compare CellCept vs. Prograf

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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CellCept (mycophenolate)

Prescription only

Prograf (tacrolimus)

Prescription only
Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.

CellCept (mycophenolate) is good at preventing organ transplant rejection, but you’ll need regular blood tests to make sure you don't develop any serious side effects.

Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.

Prograf (tacrolimus) is a good medicine that prevents rejection of an organ transplant, but you will need to be on it lifelong.

Upsides
  • CellCept (mycophenolate) is a first-choice medication for preventing organ rejection since it doesn't hurt the kidneys or liver like its alternatives.
  • With CellCept (mycophenolate), you might be able to take a lower dose of your other anti-rejection medications.
  • Prevents your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
  • Available as an extended-release pill, so it can be taken just once daily.
  • Less cosmetic side-effects than other anti-rejection medicine like cyclosporine.
Downsides
  • You might need to take other medications to control your blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol while on CellCept (mycophenolate).
  • You can’t get certain vaccines while taking CellCept (mycophenolate).
  • You can’t breastfeed while on this medication.
  • Regular blood tests are required for monitoring while on Prograf (tacrolimus).
  • Can cause a lot of side-effects, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, mental status changes, and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.
  • Increases your risk of infection and certain cancers.
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Used for
  • Prevention of heart transplant rejection
  • Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
  • Prevention of liver transplant rejection
  • Graft-versus-host disease
  • Prevention of heart transplant rejection
  • Prevention of liver transplant rejection
  • Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
  • Lung transplant rejection
  • Bowel transplant rejection
  • Graft-versus-host disease
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Suspension
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$20.61
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Lowest price
$449.59
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Reviews
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Side effects
40possible side effects
  • High blood pressure
    78%
  • Swelling in arms and legs
    64%
  • Headache
    54%
  • Nausea
    54%
  • Fever
    47%
  • High blood sugar
    47%
  • Diarrhea
    45%
  • Lack of energy
    43%
  • Low red blood cells
    43%
  • High white blood cells
    41%
  • High cholesterol
    41%
  • Constipation
    41%
  • Trouble sleeping
    41%
  • Higher blood creatinine (marker of kidney function)
    39%
  • Lung infection
    37%
  • Shortness of breath
    37%
  • Back pain
    35%
  • Higher blood urea nitrogen (marker of kidney function)
    35%
  • Stomach pain
    34%
  • Vomiting
    34%
  • Low blood pressure
    33%
  • Low blood potassium
    32%
  • Increased cough
    31%
  • Low white blood cells
    30%
  • Lung problems
    30%
  • Dizziness
    28%
  • Anxiety
    28%
  • Swelling
    27%
  • Infection
    26%
  • Chest pain
    26%
  • Heart problems
    26%
  • Sinus inflammation
    26%
  • Low platelets
    24%
  • Tremor
    24%
  • Higher blood lactate dehydrogenase (marker of damaged cells)
    23%
  • Abnormal kidney function
    22%
  • Rash
    22%
  • Burning or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet
    21%
  • Fast heart rate
    20%
  • Very low neutrophil (type of white blood cell) count
    3%
See more detailed side effects
13possible side effects
  • High blood pressure
    62%
  • Kidney Function Abnormal
    56%
  • Anemia
    50%
  • Low white blood cells
    48%
  • Viral infection
    32%
  • Diabetes Mellitus
    26%
  • Infection
    24%
  • High blood sugar
    23%
  • High cholesterol
    18%
  • Bronchitis
    17%
  • Urinary Tract Infection
    16%
  • Fluid around the heart
    15%
  • Tremor
    15%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Harm to fetus
    • Sexually active women of childbearing age
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressants
    • Age 60 or older
    • Weak immune system
  • Blood disorders
  • Cancer
    • Taking CellCept (mycophenolate) for a long time
    • Prolonged exposure to sunlight
    • UV light
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressant drugs
    • Age 60 or older
    • Weak immune system
  • Cancer
    • Taking Prograf (tacrolimus) for a long time
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart problems
    • Taking drugs that interact with Prograf (tacrolimus)
    • High Prograf (tacrolimus) blood levels
  • Kidney damage
    • Poor kidney function
    • Taking other drugs that can damage the kidneys
    • Taking drugs that interact with Prograf (tacrolimus)
  • Diabetes
    • African-American descent
    • Hispanic descent
  • Increased risk of death in female liver transplant patients taking extended-release Prograf (tacrolimus)
    • Females using Astagraf XL
    • Liver transplantation
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about CellCept (mycophenolate)
Learn more about Prograf (tacrolimus)