The U.S. FDA-approved Basiliximab to prevent the rejection of kidney transplants on May 12, 1998. Basiliximab injection is an immunosuppressant with an active ingredient called Basiliximab. It belongs to the medication class known as monoclonal antibody. 

Basiliximab is used to prevent the rejection of kidney transplants. It is injected within the first 4 to 6 weeks following the transplant. It is used on adults, adolescents, and children. 

The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered as an intravenous injection into a vein. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Basiliximab are constipation, nausea, diarrhea, sudden weight gain, overgrowth of normal hair, infections, high blood pressure, and a running nose.

Serious side effects while taking Basiliximab are severe allergic reactions (swelling of face, tongue, or lips, difficulty in breathing, fast heartbeat, dizziness, and decreased urine output).

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to Basiliximab or its ingredients. Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you had a transplant in the past and failed after a brief period or if you have ever been in the operating room for an unsuccessful transplant.   Inform your medical professional if you are above 65 years older because this medicine is not studied in such conditions. Contact your doctor for more information. 

Do not take any vaccine without consulting your doctor. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy and up to 4 months after the last dosage. Do not breastfeed for up to four months after the second dose. Discuss more fertility concerns with your doctor. Discuss the effective contraception method, as this medicine should not be used during pregnancy. 

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.  Store Basiliximab in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not refrigerate or freeze. Contact your doctor for more concerns. If you have missed any dosing appointments, inform your doctor and schedule immediately. 

1. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on Sept 2021] [ Accessed on 24th May 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7834.pdf
2. Xuping Yao et al; Basiliximab induction in kidney transplantation with donation after cardiac death donors; Experimental and Therapeutic medicine; [Published on 08/04/2016], [Accessed on 18/12/2021]; https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2016.3238
3. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Accessed on 24th May 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/1998/basnov051298lb.pdf 

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.