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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing While On CellCept?

Posted on Mon, 14 Nov 2016

Question: My husband has IPF and his pulmonologist just prescribed Cellcept. He has taken the prescribed dosage (500 mg) for 2 full days. He is experiencing severe hot flashes which is making his breathing very difficult. Is this one of the side effects of this drug? He does not want to take the Cellcept today since he is experiencing such difficulty in breathing.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
needs to stop it and call doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
The hot flashes and shortness of breath are both major side effects of the Cellcept. He should stop the medication immediately and call his doctor's office and speak to the doctor on call.
If his shortness of breath is severe he should go immediately to Emergency for evaluation and treatment.
He should not restart this medication until he is told to do so by his pulmonologist.
I wish you the best.
Let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (2 hours later)

Hello Dr. XXXXXXX Thank you so much for your answer to my question regarding my Husband's reaction to Cellcept. He has stopped the meds today and we will contact his pulmonologist on Monday. His breathing is a bit better and he is resting and I don't think we will need to get him to our ER. Thank you again.
XXXXXXX Ennist

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
thank you for the follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks so much for letting me know. I am so glad that he is doing better.
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar