Lymphocyte immune globulin, anti-thymocyte (equine)
Generic name: lymphocyte immune globulin, anti-thymocyte (equine) (LIM foe site i MUNE GLOB ue lin, AN tee THYE moe site (EE kwine ) )
Brand names: Atgam, Atgam (equine)
Dosage form: intravenous solution (50 mg/mL)
Drug class:Selective immunosuppressants
What is lymphocyte immune globulin, anti-thymocyte (equine)?
Lymphocyte immune globulin anti-thymocyte (also called equine anti-thymocyte immune globulin), is an immunosuppressant that 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.
Lymphocyte immune globulin is used to treat or prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant. Lymphocyte immune globulin is also used to treat aplastic anemia (a condition in which your bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells).
Lymphocyte immune globulin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You will receive this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive lymphocyte immune globulin if you are allergic to it.
To make sure lymphocyte immune globulin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver or kidney disease; or
if you have received a vaccine in the past 6 months.
It is not known whether lymphocyte immune globulin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether lymphocyte immune globulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Lymphocyte immune globulin is made of certain blood products from horses and may contain viruses and other infectious agents. These blood components are tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
How is lymphocyte immune globulin, anti-thymocyte given?
Before you are treated with lymphocyte immune globulin, your doctor may perform a skin test to make sure you are not allergic to lymphocyte immune globulin.
Lymphocyte immune globulin is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Lymphocyte immune globulin is sometimes given daily and sometimes given every other day. The medi...
