CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is a prescription drug used to prevent organ rejection after certain organ transplants. CellCept’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

CellCept is used in adults and some children to prevent organ rejection after a kidney, heart, or liver transplant.

CellCept is available in four forms:

  • liquid solution given by a healthcare professional as an intravenous (IV) infusion* (comes as a powder that’s mixed with a dextrose solution)
  • liquid suspension that you swallow (comes as a powder that’s mixed with water)
  • tablet that you swallow
  • capsule that you swallow

The active ingredient in CellCept is mycophenolate mofetil. (An active ingredient is what helps a drug work.)

For more details on CellCept, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for CellCept can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on how much you have to pay the hospital for the intravenous (IV) infusion form of CellCept.

To find out how much you’ll pay for CellCept, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover CellCept. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss CellCept in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If CellCept requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether CellCept requires prior authorization.

CellCept is available as the generic drug mycophenolate mofetil. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

To find out how the costs of CellCept and mycophenolate mofetil compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed CellCept and you’re interested in taking mycophenolate mofetil instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

Once you’ve switched to an oral form of CellCept, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of CellCept if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of CellCept. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for CellCept. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of CellCept or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about CellCept and cost.

What is the cost of CellCept with Medicare?

If you have Medicare coverage, your cost will depend on your particular plan and benefits.

Your cost may also change once you switch from the liquid solution (given by a healthcare professional as an intravenous (IV) infusion) to one of CellCept’s oral forms. This is because different parts of Medicare cover inpatient care and outpatient care and the coverage may differ.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for CellCept, talk with your Medicare plan provider.

Is there a coupon available for CellCept?

No, a coupon isn’t currently available for CellCept. But if you have private insurance, you may be eligible for the CellCept Co-pay Card. This copay card could help you save on the cost of CellCept. To find out whether you’re eligible, call the drug’s manufacturer directly at 1-833-CellCept (1-833-235-5237) or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you whether you’re eligible and how to sign up for the card.

Additional savings programs may be available. You can visit the manufacturer’s website to learn more about other cost savings options for CellCept.

If you still have questions about the cost of CellCept, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for CellCept.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will my health insurance cover the cost of CellCept if I’m taking it for an autoimmune disease (off label)?
  • Will my cost of CellCept change if you prescribe a different dosage?
  • How does the cost of CellCept compare with Myfortic (mycophenolic acid)?

To learn more about CellCept, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.