Compare CellCept vs. Sandimmune
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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.
Suppresses the immune system.
Sandimmune (cyclosporine) is good at preventing rejection of an organ transplant, but it's more difficult to monitor than Neoral/Gengraf (cyclosporine modified) and isn't good for people with kidney problems.
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.
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine) is good at preventing organ rejection.
- Can take Sandimmune (cyclosporine) if you’re pregnant.
- Less effect on blood sugar than other medicines in its class like tacrolimus.
- Conveniently taken once daily.
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.
- You’ll need regular blood tests, especially in the beginning, to make sure Sandimmune (cyclosporine) isn't affecting your body in a bad way.
- Can cause high blood pressure and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.
- You might need to take other medicines to control your blood pressure while on Sandimmune (cyclosporine).
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 kidney transplant rejection
- Prevention of liver transplant rejection
- Prevention of lung transplant rejection
- Ulcerative colitis
- Graft-versus-host disease
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Suspension
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$44.26
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$120.95
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Side effects
40possible side effects
- High blood pressure78%
- Swelling in arms and legs64%
- Headache54%
- Nausea54%
- Fever47%
- High blood sugar47%
- Diarrhea45%
- Lack of energy43%
- Low red blood cells43%
- High white blood cells41%
- High cholesterol41%
- Constipation41%
- Trouble sleeping41%
- Higher blood creatinine (marker of kidney function)39%
- Lung infection37%
- Shortness of breath37%
- Back pain35%
- Higher blood urea nitrogen (marker of kidney function)35%
- Stomach pain34%
- Vomiting34%
- Low blood pressure33%
- Low blood potassium32%
- Increased cough31%
- Low white blood cells30%
- Lung problems30%
- Dizziness28%
- Anxiety28%
- Swelling27%
- Infection26%
- Chest pain26%
- Heart problems26%
- Sinus inflammation26%
- Low platelets24%
- Tremor24%
- Higher blood lactate dehydrogenase (marker of damaged cells)23%
- Abnormal kidney function22%
- Rash22%
- Burning or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet21%
- Fast heart rate20%
- Very low neutrophil (type of white blood cell) count3%
17possible side effects
- High blood pressure53%
- Abnormal kidney function38%
- Tremor31%
- Abnormal hair growth28%
- Headache15%
- Nausea/vomiting10%
- Liver damage7%
- Stomach discomfort7%
- Low white blood cells6%
- Blood cell tumor6%
- Gum swelling5%
- Uncontrolled shaking4%
- Diarrhea4%
- Swelling of breasts4%
- Common cold symptoms3%
- Acne2%
- Burning or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet2%
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
- Cancer
- Taking Sandimmune (cyclosporine) for a long time
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight
- UV light
- Hard-to-predict absorption
- Kidney damage
- Taking Sandimmune (cyclosporine) for a long time
- Taking high doses of Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
- Poor kidney function
- Donor age 50 or older
- Taking other medicines that can damage the kidneys
- Taking medicines that interact with Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
- Serious infections
- Taking other immunosuppressants
- Age 60 or older
- Weak immune system
- High blood pressure
- High blood pressure
- Taking other medicines that can raise blood pressure
- Drug interactions
- Taking multiple medicines