Thymoglobulin

Generic name: Antithymocyte Globulin (Rabbit) [ an-te-THY-moe-site-GLOB-yu-lin-RAB-bit ]
Drug class: Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 8, 2023.

Uses of Thymoglobulin:

• It is used after a kidney transplant to keep the body from rejecting the kidney.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Thymoglobulin?

• If you have an allergy to lymphocytic immune globulin, rabbit proteins, or any other part of Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)).
• If you are allergic to Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)); any part of Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have an infection.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Thymoglobulin?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Some people have unsafe allergic effects or bad side effects during the infusion or within 24 hours of the infusion. Talk with the doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
• You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• The chance of cancer is higher after using Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)). Talk with the doctor.
• You may have a chance of getting post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). PTLD happens when your white blood cells grow out of control and can lead to cancer and death.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)).
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called cytokine release syndrome (CRS) has happened in people getting Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)). Call your doctor right away if you have chills, dizziness, feeling tired or weak, fever, headache, passing out, rash, swelling of the face, trouble breathing, upset stomach or throwing up, or wheezing.
• Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) and for 3 months after the last dose.
• If you get pregnant while taking Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) or within 3 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Thymoglobulin) best taken?

Use Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• Other drugs may be given to help with infusion side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, seizures, not hungry, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of too much acid in the blood (acidosis) like confusion; fast breathing; fast heartbeat; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; very bad stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up; feeling very sleepy; shortness of breath; or feeling very tired or weak.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Shortness of breath.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling confused.
• Feeling agitated.
• Restlessness.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Thymoglobulin?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Not hungry.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Sweating a lot.
• Pimples (acne).
• Back pain.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Redness or swelling where the shot is given.
• Pain where the shot was given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Thymoglobulin?

• If you need to store Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Thymoglobulin (antithymocyte globulin (rabbit)), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer