Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine is used together with other medicines to prevent organ rejection in individuals who have received kidney transplants.
It may also be used to treat aplastic anaemia (low red blood cell count caused by bone marrow failure).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Before starting your treatment, you may be given other medicines to prevent or lessen the side effects of Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine. These medicines may be given as tablets or as injections.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. You must avoid any vaccinations without consulting with your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine therapy and for 10 weeks (in both men and women) after stopping the treatment.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
For as long as you are using this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.
Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine may cause dizziness, confusion, or syncope (temporary loss of consciousness; fainting or passing out). If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, hiccups, diarrhoea, upper abdominal pain, cough, joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, loss of appetite, weakness, and pain, swelling or redness at injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- signs and symptoms of cytokine release syndrome (a condition wherein the body releases too many cytokines in response to an infection or immunotherapy) e.g. fever, chills, swelling, difficulty breathing
- signs and symptoms of infections e.g. high fever, sweating, convulsions, shortness of breath, sore throat, mouth sores, or wounds that will not heal
This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, equine to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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