Basiliximab
About Basiliximab
Basiliximab is a prescription injection used to prevent your body from rejecting a newly transplanted kidney. It belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressants, which help your body accept the new organ. It is always used alongside other medications to help ensure your transplant is successful.
Because this medicine is given as an injection into a vein, it is injected by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting around the time of your transplant surgery. You do not need to worry about taking it with or without food, as it goes directly into your bloodstream. Following a clean, food-safe diet and staying hydrated are important lifestyle steps to support your kidney health during this period.
While using you may experience mild side effects like constipation, nausea, or mild pain around the injection site. However, because it lowers your immune system, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, or unusual tiredness.
Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this medicine or any of its ingredients in the past. Before receiving it, tell your doctor if you have active infections, a history of tuberculosis, or a weakened immune system from other medical conditions. This medication can interact with live vaccines, potentially causing a severe infection because your immune system is temporarily suppressed.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits before receiving this treatment. It may be used in children receiving a kidney transplant. The dose is based on the child's body weight, and children weighing less than 35 kg receive a lower dose. The transplant team will determine the correct dose.
Uses of Basiliximab
Medicinal Benefits
When taken consistently as directed, this injection may provide the following physiological benefits:
- Helps protect your transplanted kidney: This medicine helps prevent your immune system from attacking your new kidney, reducing the risk of organ rejection during the early period after transplant surgery.
- Supports transplant success: By selectively targeting specific immune cells involved in organ rejection, this medicine helps protect the transplanted kidney while allowing your healthcare team to carefully manage your recovery and overall health after surgery.
Directions for Use
- Typically, it is given in two doses: one 2 hours before transplant surgery and the second 4 days after; however, your doctor will determine the dosage and duration based on your condition.
- Basiliximab will be administered by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare facility.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Basiliximab
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
Constipation or upset stomach
Nausea or vomiting
Mild pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
Headache or trouble sleeping
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing (signs of a severe allergic reaction)
- Fever, chills, persistent sore throat, or unusual cough (signs of infection)
- Severe stomach pain or vomiting blood
- Sudden weight gain or swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- Swollen glands, unusual skin changes, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or night sweats (signs of lymphoma or skin cancer)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the medicine: The healthcare team will inspect the solution before use to ensure it is clear and free of visible particles.
- Report injection site discomfort: Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you feel burning, pain, or swelling during the injection.
- Attend all follow-up appointments: Your transplant team will perform regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function, blood counts, response to treament, dermatology check-ups and self-skin checks.
- Protect your skin: Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors, as immunosuppressive medicines may increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
- Contraindication: Do not receive this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to this medicine or any of its ingredients, and tell your doctor before treatment if you have an active infection, a history of tuberculosis, or a weakened immune system.
Drug Interactions
- Live vaccines: Do not receive live vaccines (such as the shingles or yellow fever vaccine) while taking this medicine, as they may increase the risk of infection.
- Other immunosuppressants: This medicine is often used together with other immunosuppressant medicines after transplantation. Your doctor will monitor your treatment closely to help reduce the risk of excessive immune suppression and infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Basiliximab is unknown. If you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss with your doctor.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorBasiliximab should be used in pregnant women only when the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. You are recommended to use effective contraception before beginning treatment with Basiliximab, during therapy, and for 4 months after completion of therapy.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Basiliximab is excreted in human milk. Based on the importance of drug to the mother, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue Basiliximab.
Driving
safeBasiliximab does not affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Basiliximab in patients with liver problems, discuss with your doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedBasiliximab may be safe to use in patients with kidney problems if prescribed by a doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedBasiliximab may be safe for children if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Practice strict food safety: Since your immune system is suppressed, avoid raw or undercooked meats, seafood, raw eggs, and unpasteurised dairy products to help prevent foodborne infections.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of clean, filtered water as advised by your doctor to support your new kidney's function.
- Limit exposure to infections: Avoid close contact with people who have colds, flu, or other infections, and wash your hands frequently.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Organ rejection: It occurs when the patient’s immune system recognizes the donor organ as foreign and tries to eliminate it. Organ rejection may be hyperacute (occurs in minutes to hours), acute (occurs within the first few months), or chronic (occurs after a year or time beyond). The symptoms of organ rejection may vary based on the type of organ transplant you have had. However, if you experience pain, fever, or any other signs of illness, contact your doctor immediately.
FAQs
It is used to prevent acute organ rejection in patients who are receiving a kidney transplant. It is always used in combination with other medications that help your body accept the new organ. Talk to your doctor for more details about your specific transplant plan.
Basiliximab contains Basiliximab, which works by inhibiting the body's production of white blood cells, which normally attack foreign invaders and protect the body from foreign cells and infection. As a result, it prevents organ rejection in transplanted patients and aids the body's acceptance of the new organ.
Basiliximab may increase the risk of infections as it may weaken the immune system. Therefore, consult a doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection, such as sore throat or fever.
If you are about to receive any vaccinations, especially live vaccines, inform your doctor that you are on treatment with Basiliximab because it may decrease the effect of the vaccine and increase the risk of infection.
It is given by a trained healthcare professional as an injection or a slow infusion into a vein (intravenously) in a hospital. It is usually given as two doses: the first before your kidney transplant surgery and the second 4 days after the transplant, if your doctor considers it appropriate. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the treatment process.
No, you should avoid live vaccines while taking it because your immune system is suppressed, which increases the risk of contracting the illness from the vaccine. Talk to your doctor to see which vaccines are safe for you.
Hair loss is not a commonly reported side effect of this medicine itself, though other transplant medications you take at the same time might cause it. Talk to your doctor if you notice unusual hair thinning or loss.
It is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary, as its effects on an unborn baby are not fully known. Talk to your doctor to evaluate the risks and benefits if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Yes, because it calms your immune system to prevent organ rejection, it also temporarily reduces your ability to fight off infections. Talk to your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, sore throat, or other signs of illness.
Since this medication is given in a hospital setting, your healthcare team will schedule and inject both doses. If you suspect a dose was missed or delayed, contact your transplant team immediately. Talk to your doctor for specific guidance.
It is used only during the early period after your kidney transplant to help prevent organ rejection. After the two-dose treatment is complete, you will continue taking other immunosuppressant medicines as prescribed by your transplant team to provide long-term protection for your transplanted kidney.
Author Details
