Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit)
Generic name: anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) [ AN-tee-THYE-moe-syt-GLOB-ue-lin ]
Brand names: Thymoglobulin, Thymoglobulin (rabbit)
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (25 mg)
Drug class:Selective immunosuppressants
What is anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit)?
Anti-thymocyte globulin is a sterilized solution made of the cells of rabbits that have been injected with white blood cells from humans.
Anti-thymocyte globulin lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Anti-thymocyte globulin is used together with other medicines to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney transplant.
Anti-thymocyte globulin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rabbit proteins, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to anti-thymocyte globulin.
To make sure you can safely take anti-thymocyte globulin, tell your doctor if you have an active or chronic infection, or a serious infection called sepsis.
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with anti-thymocyte globulin. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, weakness, tired feeling, or feeling like you might pass out.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using anti-thymocyte globulin. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rabbit proteins, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to anti-thymocyte globulin.
To make sure you can safely take anti-thymocyte globulin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
an active or chronic infection; or
a serious infection called sepsis.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether anti-thymocyte globulin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether anti-thymocyte globulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using anti-thymocyte globulin.
Using anti-thymocyte globulin may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
