Basiliximab

Generic name: basiliximab
Brand name: Simulect
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (10 mg; 20 mg)
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is basiliximab?

Basiliximab is a prescription medicine that is used after a kidney transplant to keep the body from rejecting the kidney. Basiliximab may be given to you for other reasons.

Description

Basiliximab is a chimeric (murine/human) monoclonal antibody (IgG1к), produced by recombinant DNA technology, that functions as an immunosuppressive agent, specifically binding to and blocking the interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (IL-2Rα, also known as CD25 antigen) on the surface of activated T-lymphocytes. Based on the amino acid sequence, the calculated molecular weight of the protein is 144 kilodaltons. It is a glycoprotein obtained from fermentation of an established mouse myeloma cell line genetically engineered to express plasmids containing the human heavy and light chain constant region genes and mouse heavy and light chain variable region genes encoding the RFT5 antibody that binds selectively to the IL-2Rα.

Simulect® (basiliximab) for injection is a sterile, preservative-free lyophilisate, which is available in single-dose vials and is available in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths for intravenous administration after reconstitution.

Each 10-mg vial contains 10 mg of basiliximab, and dibasic sodium phosphate (anhydrous) (0.50 mg), glycine (20.3 mg), mannitol (40.6 mg), monobasic potassium phosphate (3.66 mg), sodium chloride (0.82 mg), and sucrose (10.1 mg) to be reconstituted in 2.5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP.

Each 20-mg vial contains 20 mg of basiliximab, and dibasic sodium phosphate (anhydrous) (0.99 mg), glycine (40.1 mg), mannitol (80.1 mg), monobasic potassium phosphate (7.22 mg), sodium chloride (1.61 mg), and sucrose (20 mg) to be reconstituted in 5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP.

Mechanism of Action

Basiliximab functions as an IL-2 receptor antagonist by binding with high affinity (Ka = 1 x 1010 M-1) to the alpha chain of the high affinity IL-2 receptor complex and inhibiting IL-2 binding. Basiliximab is specifically targeted against IL-2Rα, which is selectively expressed on the surface of activated T-lymphocytes. This specific high affinity binding of Simulect® (basiliximab) to IL-2Rα competitively inhibits IL-2-mediated activation of lymphocytes, a critical pathway in the cellular immune response involved in allograft rejection.

While in the circulation, Simulect impairs the response of the immune system to antigenic challenges. Whether the ability to respond to repeated or ongoing challenges with those antigens returns to normal after Simulect is cleared is unknown (see PRECAUTIONS).

Before taking basiliximab, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to basiliximab; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

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 basiliximab 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 basiliximab?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take basiliximab. 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.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with basiliximab may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• If you are 65 or older, use basiliximab with care. You could have more side effects.
• Use birth control before starting basiliximab, during treatment, and for 4 months after your last dose.
• If you get pregnant while taking basiliximab or within 4 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

How is basiliximab best taken?

Use basiliximab 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.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are the side effects of basiliximab that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

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 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 high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• 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 blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Sneezing.
• Pain, swelling, or new drainage at wound sites.
• Shakiness.
• Feeling very tired or weak.

What are some other side effects of basiliximab?

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.
• Not able to sleep.
• Pimples (acne).
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or heartburn.
• Signs of a common cold.

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 basiliximab?

• If you need to store basiliximab at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Label

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