Read the fine print about the side effects of the majority of drugs physicians are handing out like candy today. There are numerous blogs discussing these side effects. Most doctors are oblivious to your side effects and blow you off when you complain. IMO, you’re lucky if they even know who you are and why you’re in their office.
That may be true with some drugs, but I would argue that a doctor rx’ing CellCept for it’s labeled use DOES know what the side effects are.
From the prescribing guidelines issued by the company:
Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of renal, cardiac or hepatic transplant patients should use CellCept. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient.
and
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Use of MMF during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of first trimester pregnancy loss and an increased risk of congenital malformations, especially external ear and other facial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate, and anomalies of the distal limbs, heart, esophagus, and kidney.
So, this isn’t a med that’s handed out by a general practitioner. It’s a highly specialized drug (for prevention of organ rejection after transplant). I’m sure that prior to initiating this med, the doc will order a pregnancy test before giving to a woman of childbearing age.