Type of medicine: monoclonal antibody; immunosuppressant
Generic and brand names: muromonab-CD3, injection
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to help the body accept kidney, liver, or heart transplants.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant during this treatment. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy. Also, do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. It should be given in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. The shots are given by your healthcare provider, usually once a day for 10 to 14 days. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, be sure to get your shots every day for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes.
You may be given other medicines during treatment to help prevent or lessen some side effects.
During the first few doses, you may develop a high fever (104°F or higher), chills, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting. If these side effects become severe, contact your healthcare provider.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may cause confusion and hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not there). Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and clearheaded.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
While you are receiving this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear dark glasses and sunscreen when you are in sunlight.
Check your weight daily and notify your healthcare provider of any weight gain.
Using this medicine may increase your risk for certain cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; rapid heartbeat; chest pain; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever; chills; stiff neck; severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle or joint pain; confusion; hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not there); unusual bruising or bleeding; decreased urination.
Other: Dizziness, trembling, headache, eyes more sensitive to light, weight gain, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
