Thymoglobulin (Intravenous)
Generic name:antithymocyte globulin rabbit (intravenous route) [ an-tye-THYE-moe-site-GLOB-ue-lin-RAB-it ]
Drug class:Selective immunosuppressants
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2022.
Antithymocyte globulin rabbit should only be used by physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy in transplantation .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Thymoglobulin
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Immune Suppressant
Uses for Thymoglobulin
Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection is used together with other medicines to prevent and treat the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.
This medicine is an immunosuppressant. When a patient receives an organ transplant, the body's white blood cells will try to get rid of (reject) the transplanted organ. Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) works by preventing the white blood cells from doing this.
The effect of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) on the white blood cells may also reduce the body's ability to fight infections. Before you begin treatment, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of using it.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before using Thymoglobulin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necess..