Basiliximab

Basiliximab is a prescription medication used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

• Basiliximab is available under the following different brand names: Simulect

Common side effects of Basiliximab include:

• stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• acne,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• nausea,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• headache, and
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Serious side effects of Basiliximab include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• wheezing,
• sneezing,
• pain or burning while urinating,
• easy bruising,
• unusual bleeding,
• unusual weakness,
• tremors,
• shaking,
• fever,
• chills,
• body aches,
• flu symptoms,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• trouble breathing,
• pale skin,
• light-headedness,
• shortness of breath,
• rapid heart rate,
• trouble concentrating,
• slow heart rate,
• weak pulse,
• muscle weakness,
• tingly feeling,
• confusion,
• uneven heart rate,
• extreme thirst,
• increased urination,
• leg discomfort,
• muscle weakness, and
• limp feeling

Rare side effects of Basiliximab 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, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result 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

Powder for injection

• 10 mg
• 20 mg

Prophylaxis of Renal Transplant Rejection

Adult dosage

• 20 mg Intravenous within 2 hours before transplant surgery, THEN
• 20 mg Intravenous 4 days after transplant
• Withhold the second dose if complications (severe hypersensitivity, or graft loss) occur after the first dose

Pediatric dosage

• Weighing below 35 kg: 10 mg Intravenous within 2 hours before transplant surgery, then 10 mg Intravenous 4 days after transplant
• Weighing above 35 kg: Administer as in adults; 20 mg Intravenous within 2 hours before transplant surgery, then, 20 mg Intravenous 4 days after transplant
• Used in a regimen containing cyclosporine and corticosteroids

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.

• Basiliximab has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • upadacitinib
• Basiliximab has serious interactions with at least 68 other drugs.
• Basiliximab has moderate interactions with at least 31 other drugs.
• Basiliximab has severe interactions with no other drugs.

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 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Basiliximab?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Basiliximab?”

Cautions

• Development of human anti-murine antibodies reported for murine products
• Risk of developing lymphoproliferative disorders may increase with immunosuppressive therapy
• Immunosuppressive therapy may increase the risk of opportunistic infection

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Unknown whether excreted in the milk; because of the potential for adverse reactions, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother