Health Library

Lymphocyte immune globulin (By injection)

Lymphocyte Immune Globulin (LIM-foe-site i-MUNE GLOB-ue-lin)

Prevents or treats rejection episodes in people who have had a kidney transplant. Treats certain types of aplastic anemia (decrease in blood cells caused by a bone marrow problem).

Brand Name(s):

Atgam

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and how often it should be given.A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle or a catheter (plastic tube) placed in one of your veins.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. Keep all appointments. If you miss a dose, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you think you are pregnant, or if you are breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, liver disease, circulation problems, or other blood problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any immune globulin.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine, especially if doses of other medicine you use are being decreased (steroids, immune suppressants). You may also need frequent blood or urine tests.
• This medicine may cause high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar while on this medicine.
• This medicine is made from equine (horse) blood and donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicine made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Dark or bloody urine, trouble urinating, or a decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, confusion, or seizures (convulsions).
• Fever, chills, sweating, coughing, sore throat, or glands that are swollen or tender.
• Chest pain, or heartbeat that is pounding, irregular, too fast, or too slow.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or stools that are bloody or dark.
• New or worsening body swelling.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf), back, or flank (side).
• Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site.
• Skin rash.
• Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache, joint pain, muscle aches, pain or burning in the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet.
• Mouth redness and pain, or mouth sores.
• Tremors or shaking.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024