cellcept

[nessabug]

my derm just put me on cellcept. Has anyone had any experience with it?

[rosee_posey]

Hello Nessabug,

Cellcept? Wow...

Yes, I have heard of Cellcept being used to treat psoriasis - I was about to go on it myself, back in 2001, but we decided to use a biologic instead.

I haven't used it myself, and I think you are one of the first (if not the first) person I know who will be on the boards talking about it.

Keep us posted. I want to hear more, K?

- rose

[wildflowerAnn]

I use CellCept. My dermatologist chose that as the replacement medication for cyclosporene, because he could use it for a long time. Cyclosporene has that one year limit. I have generalized pustular psoriasis, and use CellCept plus topicals plus CeraVe moisturizer. Having pretty good results compared to where I was 5 months ago. If you get your Rx through mailorder pharmacy, the copay drops from about $270 per month to $13. No shots. Just pills. If it doesn't work, then perhaps one of the biologics will. If CellCept stops working for me, my dermatologist and I have discussed Enbrel as another possible choice. Good luck.
Ann

[rosee_posey]

Hey WildflowerAnn,

Wow! I've always wondered why it never became indicated for psoriasis - guess the money just wasn't good enough for Roche to go through the trouble.

Have you only been on it 5 months? What were you like while you were on Cyclosporine before, compared to where you are at now? Were you having generalized pustular flares before you started Cyclosporine? I hated those damn flares sooo much. Felt like fire coming from the inside.

Are you unable to take biologics? (there are many folks who can't take biologics). I saw you are considering Enbrel if the Cellcept fails, just wanted to know why you didn't start them sooner...is it $$?

Biologics have taken over psoriasis care so much, it's easy for us to forget that there are other viable options out there!

Enlighten me, please!
- rose

[KellyPSA]

I began using Cell-Cept since June. My diagnosis is Psoriatic Arthritis. It seemed to clear my skin initially very well. I itch way less, but I have noticed I am way more sensitive to the sun. I also think I inititially had some good clearing, but it seems to finished, I am not getting any better or worse.

I also take Methrexate and Enbrel, but I had my last shot of Enbrel last week and I am starting Humira on Friday....I have never gotten total clearance on biologics alone....

I have always been on a combination of drugs, and this is when a good Dermatologist and Rheumotologist come into play...You have to be working with docs who are open to all the treatments that are out there...You also have to deal with insurance rules, some make you "fail" a treatment before they will consider paying for a newer, more expensive drug.....