basiliximab

Generic Name: basiliximab (bass il IX im ab)Brand Names: Simulect

What is basiliximab?

Basiliximab 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.

Basiliximab is used with other medications to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

Basiliximab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about basiliximab?

Basiliximab is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection just before your transplant and again 4 days afterward. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Basiliximab can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor after your transplant.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid receiving a vaccine shortly after you have been treated with basiliximab, unless your doctor has told you to.

There may be other drugs that can affect basiliximab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking basiliximab?

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether basiliximab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take basiliximab?

Basiliximab is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection just before your transplant and again 4 days afterward. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Basiliximab can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor after your transplant.

See also: Basiliximab dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since basiliximab is given while you are in the hospital, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of basiliximab is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking basiliximab?

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid receiving a vaccine shortly after you have been treated with basiliximab, unless your doctor has told you to.

Basiliximab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• tremors, shaking; or

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain;

• headache;

• diarrhea, constipation; or

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Basiliximab Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Organ Transplant -- Rejection Prophylaxis:

For prophylaxis of acute organ rejection in patients receiving renal transplantation (as a part of an immunosuppressive regimen that includes cyclosporine and corticosteroids): 20 mg infused over 20-30 minutes by central or peripheral intravenous administration. The first 20 mg dose should be given within 2 hours prior to transplantation surgery. The recommended second 20 mg dose should be given 4 days after transplantation.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Organ Transplant -- Rejection Prophylaxis:

Greater than or equal to 35 kg: Renal transplantation: 20 mg within 2 hours prior to transplant surgery, followed by a second 20 mg dose 4 days after transplantationLess than or equal to 35 kg: Renal transplantation: 10 mg within 2 hours prior to transplant surgery, followed by a second 10 mg dose 4 days after transplantation

What other drugs will affect basiliximab?

Before receiving basiliximab, tell your doctor if you are using any drugs that weaken your immune system, such as:

• chemotherapy or radiation;

• steroid medicine;

• sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);

• efalizumab (Raptiva), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);

• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); or

• azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive basiliximab, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect basiliximab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about basiliximab written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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