Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Thymoglobulin

Generic Name: anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) (Pronunciation: AN tee THYE moe syt GLOB ue lin)

What is anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) (Thymoglobulin)?

Anti-thymocyte globulin is a sterilized solution made of the cells of rabbits that have been injected with white blood cells from humans.

Anti-thymocyte globulin lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.

Anti-thymocyte globulin is used together with other medicines to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney transplant.

Anti-thymocyte globulin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) (Thymoglobulin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with anti-thymocyte globulin. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
mouth and throat ulcers;
rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing;
weakness, tired feeling; or
feeling like you might pass out.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
white patches inside your mouth or on your lips;
swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain;
pain or burning when you urinate;
dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling; or
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
swelling in your hands or feet; or
pain, swelling, or redness where the injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) (Thymoglobulin)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rabbit proteins, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to anti-thymocyte globulin.

To make sure you can safely take anti-thymocyte globulin, tell your doctor if you have an active or chronic infection, or a serious infection called sepsis.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with anti-thymocyte globulin. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, weakness, tired feeling, or feeling like you might pass out.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using anti-thymocyte globulin. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) (Thymoglobulin)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.