Antithymocyte Globulin Equine

Antithymocyte Globulin Equine is a prescription medication used as prophylaxis or to treat the symptoms of Acute Rental Graft Rejection. 

• Antithymocyte Globulin Equine is available under the following different brand names: Atgam, ATG equine 

Common side effects of Antithymocyte Globulin Equine include:

• Nausea,
• Fever,
• Chills,
• Diarrhea,
• Dizziness,
• Headache,
• Tiredness, and
• Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site

Serious side effects of Antithymocyte Globulin Equine include:

• Hives,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• Easy bruising,
• Unusual bleeding,
• Fast or irregular heartbeat,
• Joint or muscle pain,
• Severe stomach pain,
• Weakness,
• Cough,
• Sore throat,
• Fever,
• Chills, and
• Pain when urinating

Rare side effects of Antithymocyte Globulin Equine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable solution

• 50 mg/mL

Renal Allograft

Adult dosage

• Range: 10-30 mg/kg Intravenous once a day  
• Delaying onset of rejection (start within 24 hours of transplant)
• 15 mg/kg Intravenous once a day for 14 days, then every once a day for 14 days (total of 21 doses in 28 days)

Treatment of rejection

• 10-15 mg/kg Intravenous once a day for 14 days, then every once-a-day or as needed (total of 21 doses in 28 days)

Pediatric dosage

• Range: 5-25 mg/kg Intravenous once a day  
• Delaying onset of rejection (start within 24 hours of transplant)
• 15 mg/kg Intravenous once a day for 14 days, then every once a day for 14 days (total of 21 doses in 28 days)

Treatment of rejection

• 10-15 mg/kg Intravenous once a day for 14 days, then every once-a-day or as needed (total of 21 doses in 28 days)

Aplastic Anemia

Adult and pediatric dosage

• 10-20 mg/kg Intravenous once a day for 8 to 14 days, then every once-a-day or as needed up to a total of 21 doses 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Antithymocyte Globulin Equine has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • Upadacitinib
• Antithymocyte Globulin Equine has serious interactions with at least 69 other drugs.
• Antithymocyte Globulin Equine has moderate interactions with at least 24 other drugs.
• Antithymocyte Globulin Equine has minor interactions with the following drug:
  • Protein a column

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to antithymocyte globulin, and other equine gamma globulins

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Antithymocyte Globulin Equine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Antithymocyte Globulin Equine?”

Cautions

• Test for allergic response by intradermal injection before the e start of treatment
• Discontinue if anaphylaxis, unremitting thrombocytopenia, or unremitting leukopenia occur
• Aplastic anemia patients may need a prophylactic platelet transfusion
• Observe patients for previously masked reactions when reducing the dose of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressants

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted in breast milk, use caution