basiliximab

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Pronunciation: bass il IX im ab

Brand: Simulect

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

You should not use basiliximab if you are allergic to it.

Before you receive this medicine, tell your doctor if you have cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high or low levels of potassium in your blood.

Basiliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

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

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 interact with basiliximab. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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 not listed in this medication guide.

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

You should not use basiliximab if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely receive basiliximab, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

  • cancer;
  • diabetes;
  • high cholesterol; or
  • an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low levels of potassium in your blood);

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. You should not breast-feed while you are using basiliximab.

How is basiliximab given?

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

Basiliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive basiliximab in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving basiliximab?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once 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.

What are the possible side effects of basiliximab?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • pain or burning when you urinate;
  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
  • tremors, shaking;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • trouble breathing;
  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling); or
  • low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat;
  • acne;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • nausea, constipation, stomach pain;
  • headache; or
  • swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect basiliximab?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

  • chemotherapy or radiation;
  • steroid medicine;
  • sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
  • muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
  • mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); or
  • azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with basiliximab. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about basiliximab.

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.

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