[Clare.T]

Hello Lesley

Cellcept is the trade name for mycophenolate mofetil often known as MMF especially in the UK. It's an immunosuppressant used in transplants to prevent rejection, like Imuran (azathioprine) and methotrexate.

It has been found to be very useful in treating lupus, first lupus nephritis and now more general use. It's an addition to the armoury of medicines, an alternative for when other medicines don't suit the patient and a very effective alternative to the 'big gun' Cytoxan ( cyclophosphamide) which has many severe side effects.

It is available in the UK and USA but I don't know about other countries.

http://lupus.webmd.com/news/20041018/organ-transplant-drug-controls-lupus-symptoms

Cheers
Clare

 

[Clare.T]

Thanks Lily, that's useful to know I seem to remember that livvalivva in New Zealand wrote she hadn't been able to get approval for it.
I don't know if special approval has to be obtained in the UK, considering the cost of it. Approval of pricey drugs in socialised health care schemes is often dependent on other therapies having failed especially when its off label use. There can of course be difficulties anywhere with insurances refusing to pay for therapies even when they have been FDA approved for the purpose and aren't off label.
Cheers
Clare