THYMOGLOBULINE
ANTITHYMOCYTE IMMUNOGLOBULIN · by SANOFI-AVENTIS
Composition
Inj: Antithymocytes Immunoglobulin
Indications & Dosage
Prophylaxis of organ rejection in heart allograft recipients: BY IV INF: Adult: 1-2.5 mg/kg daily for 3-5 days, to be given over at least 6 hours. Prophylaxis of organ rejection in renal allograft recipients: BY IV INF: Adult: 1-1.5 mg/kg daily for 3-9 days, to be given over at least 6 hours. Treatment of corticosteroid-resistant allograft rejection in renal transplantation: BY IV INF: Adult: 1.5 mg/kg daily for 7-14 days, to be given over at least 6 hours.
Administration
IV infusion using a high-flow vein; Anti-thymocyte globulin should be infused over a minimum of 6 hours for the first infusion and over at least 4 hours on subsequent days of therapy. Antithymocyte globulin should be administered through an in-line 0.22 mcm filter.
Stability
Store in refrigerator between 2C-8C (36F-46F). Protect from light. Do not freeze. Reconstituted vials of antithymocyte globulin should be used within 4 hours. Infusion solutions of anti-thymocyte globulin must be used immediately. Any unused drug remaining after infusion must be discarded.
Contraindications
Infection, pregnancy and lactation
Precautions
Tolerability is increased by pretreatment with an IV corticosteroid and antihistamine; an antipyretic drug such as paracetamol may also be beneficial.
Interactions
Live vaccines. Monitor blood count
Side Effects
Anaphylaxis, cytokine release syndrome, diarrhoea, dysphagia, fever, hypotension, increased susceptibility to infection, increased susceptibility to malignancy, infusion-related reactions, lymphopenia, myalgia, nausea, neutropenia, pruritus, rash, serum sickness, shivering, thrombocytopenia, vomiting