Antithymocyte globulin rabbit (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 9, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Thymoglobulin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Immune Suppressant

Uses for antithymocyte globulin rabbit

Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection is used together with other medicines to prevent and treat the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.

Antithymocyte globulin rabbit 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 antithymocyte globulin rabbit as well as the risks of using it.

Antithymocyte globulin rabbit is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using antithymocyte globulin rabbit

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 antithymocyte globulin rabbit, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to antithymocyte globulin rabbit 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 antithymocyte globulin rabbit, 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 necessarily all-inclusive.

Using antithymocyte globulin rabbit with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor ..