Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (Rabbit)
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Thymoglobulin
- Brand Names
- Thymoglobulin
- Drug Class
- Immunoglobulin G [EPC]
- Route
- INTRAVENOUS
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION THYMOGLOBULIN ® (anti-thymocyte globulin [rabbit]) is a purified, pasteurized, immunoglobulin G, obtained by immunization of rabbits with human thymocytes. This immunosuppressive product contains cytotoxic antibodies directed against antigens expressed on human T-lymphocytes. THYMOGLOBULIN is a sterile, lyophilized powder for intravenous administration after reconstitution with sterile Water for Injection, USP (SWFI). Each single-dose 10 mL vial contains 25 mg of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit), 50 mg glycine, 10 mg sodium chloride, and 50 mg mannitol. After reconstitution with 5 mL SWFI, each vial of reconstituted product contains approximately 5 mg/mL of THYMOGLOBULIN, of which >90% is rabbit gamma immune globulin (IgG). The reconstituted solution has a pH of 6.5 to 7.2. Human red blood cells are used in the manufacturing process to deplete cross-reactive antibodies to non–T-cell antigens. The manufacturing process is validated to remove or inactivate potential exogenous viruses. All human red blood cells are from U.S.-registered or FDA-licensed blood banks. A virus removal step (nanofiltration, using a 20 nm filter) and a viral inactivation step (pasteurization, i.e., heat treatment of active ingredient at 60°C/10 hr) are performed for each lot. Each THYMOGLOBULIN lot is released following potency testing (lymphocytotoxicity and anti-CD2 binding inhibition), and cross-reactive antibody testing (hemagglutination, platelet agglutination, and fibroblast toxicity assays on every lot).
What Is Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (Rabbit) Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE THYMOGLOBULIN is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving a kidney transplant in conjunction with concomitant immunosuppression. THYMOGLOBULIN is an immunoglobulin G indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving a kidney transplant in conjunction with concomitant immunosuppression. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The first dose should be infused over at least 6 hours; doses on subsequent days should be infused over at least 4 hours. ( 2.2 ) Premedication with corticosteroids, acetaminophen, and/or an antihistamine prior to each infusion is recommended. ( 2.2 ) The THYMOGLOBULIN dose should be reduced by one-half if the white blood cell (WBC) count is between 2,000 and 3,000 cells/mm 3 or if the platelet count is between 50,000 and 75,000 cells/mm 3 . Stopping THYMOGLOBULIN treatment should be considered if the WBC count falls below 2,000 cells/mm 3 or if the platelet count falls below 50,000 cells/mm 3 . ( 2.3 ) Indication Dose Prophylaxis of acute rejection 1.5 mg/kg of body weight administered daily for 4 to 7 days Treatment of acute rejection 1.5 mg/kg of body weight administered daily for 7 to 14 days For complete dosing instructions, see full prescribing information. ( 2 ) 2.1 Dosing Information For intravenous use only Prophylaxis of Acute Rejection The recommended dosage of THYMOGLOBULIN for prophylaxis of acute rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant is 1.5 mg/kg of body weight administered daily with the first dose initiated prior to reperfusion of the donor kidney. The usual duration of administration is 4 to 7 days. Treatment of Acute Rejection The recommended dosage of THYMOGLOBULIN for treatment of acute rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant is 1.5 mg/kg of body weight administered daily for 7 to 14 days. Dosing for THYMOGLOBULIN is different from dosing for other anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) products, because protein composition and concentrations vary depending on the source of ATG. The prescribing physician must ensure that the dose prescribed is appropriate for the ATG product being administered. 2.2 Recommended Dosing Regimen Administer the first dose of THYMOGLOBULIN over a minimum of 6 hours; administer doses on subsequent days over at least 4 hours [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Premedicate with corticosteroids, acetaminophen, and/or an antihistamine 1 hour prior to each infusion of THYMOGLOBULIN to reduce the incidence and intensity of infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 2.3 Dose Modifications Monitor patients for adverse reactions during and after infusion. Monitor total white blood cell and platelet counts during and after THYMOGLOBULIN therapy. Reduce the THYMOGLOBULIN dose by one-half if the white blood cell (WBC) count is between 2,000 and 3,000 cells/mm 3 or if the platelet count is between 50,000 and 75,000 cells/mm 3 . Consider stopping THYMOGLOBULIN treatment if the WBC count falls below 2,000 cells/mm 3 or if the platelet count falls below 50,000 cells/mm 3 . 2.4 Recommended Concomitant Medication THYMOGLOBULIN is used with concomitant immunosuppressants. Administer prophylactic antifungal and antibacterial therapy if clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Antiviral prophylactic...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (incidence >5% higher than comparator) are urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, hypertension, nausea, shortness of breath, fever, headache, anxiety, chills, increased potassium levels in the blood, low counts of platelets and white blood cells. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genzyme Corporation at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (incidence >5% higher than comparator) are urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, hypertension, nausea, shortness of breath, fever, headache, anxiety, chills, increased potassium levels in the blood, and low counts of platelets and white blood cells. Prophylaxis of Acute Rejection The safety of THYMOGLOBULIN compared to Active Comparator for the prophylaxis of acute rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant were evaluated in a randomized, open-label, international, multicenter trial in patients receiving solitary kidneys from deceased donors (n=278; Study 1). Table 1: Adverse Reactions Adverse reactions are treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) reported as related to the study agent in at least 1 patient. and Laboratory Abnormalities Reported More Frequently (incidence Number (percentage) is shown regardless of causal relationship. >5%) Following THYMOGLOBULIN versus Active Comparator basiliximab Adverse Reaction [n (%) ] THYMOGLOBULIN (N=141) Active Comparator (N=137) Urinary tract infection 55 (39%) 36 (26%) Pyrexia 39 (28%) 25 (18%) Headache 26 (18%) 17 (12%) Hyperlipidemia 21 (15%) 9 (7%) Anxiety 20 (14%) 12 (9%) Chills 13 (9%) 5 (4%) Laboratory Abnormalities Hyperkalemia: blood potassium ≥5.5 mmol/L; Leukopenia: WBC <3000 cells/mm 3 . Thrombocytopenia: platelet count <75,000 cells/mm 3 . Hyperkalemia 81 (57%) 70 (51%) Leukopenia 89 (63%) 20 (15%) Thrombocytopenia 23 (16%) 7 (5%) Malignancies Six patients in the THYMOGLOBULIN group developed malignancies (Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoma of the cavum, Epstein-Barr virus-positive large B-cell lung lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoma of the brain, squamous cell carcinoma, renal cancer, and recurrent basal cell carcinoma). In the Active Comparator group, 1 patient developed renal cancer. Infections Infections occurred in 76% of THYMOGLOBULIN-treated patients (severe in 23%), and in 63% of Active Comparator-treated patients (severe in 15%). Infections occurring in ≥5% of the patients in either treatment group during the 12-month follow-up are summarized in Table 2. Urinary tract infection was the most frequent type of infection, and was reported as severe in 9% of THYMOGLOBULIN-treated patients and in 2% of Active Comparator-treated patients. CMV infections were reported more frequently in the Active Comparator group, with an incidence of 6% (severe in 1%) in THYMOGLOBULIN-treated patients and of 18% (severe in 7%) in Active Comparator-treated patients. Patients who were CMV-positive at the time of transplant, as well as CMV-negative recipients of transplants from CMV-positive donors, were required to receive antiviral prophylaxis for 3 months after transplant. Table 2: Infections Reported in ≥5% of Study Patients Infection THYMOGLOBULIN (N=141) Active Comparator basiliximab (N=137) All Severe/Unknown All Severe/Unknown Urinary tract infections Urinary tract infection group includes: Urinary tract infections, Urinary tract infection fungal, Urinary tract infection bacterial, Bacterial pyelonephritis, Urosepsis. 59 (42%) 12 (9%) 39 (29%) 3 (2%) Sepsis Sepsis group includes: Sepsis, Escherichia sepsis, Staphylococcal bacteremia. 9 (6%)...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No drug interaction studies have been performed. THYMOGLOBULIN can stimulate the production of antibodies that cross-react with rabbit immune globulins [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS THYMOGLOBULIN is contraindicated in patients with history of allergy or anaphylactic reaction to rabbit proteins or to any product excipients, or who have active acute or chronic infections that contraindicate any additional immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 , 5.4) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Allergy or anaphylactic reaction to rabbit proteins or to any product excipients, or active acute or chronic infections which contraindicate any additional immunosuppression ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with THYMOGLOBULIN. It is also not known whether THYMOGLOBULIN can cause fetal harm. THYMOGLOBULIN should be given to a pregnant woman only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE THYMOGLOBULIN overdosage may result in leukopenia (including lymphopenia and neutropenia) and/ or thrombocytopenia, which can be managed with dose reduction [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 , 2.3) ] .
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied THYMOGLOBULIN is supplied as a single-dose clear glass 10 mL vial containing 25 mg of lyophilized (solid) THYMOGLOBULIN. Each carton contains one THYMOGLOBULIN vial (NDC 58468-0080-1). 16.2 Storage and Handling Store in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not use after the expiration date indicated on the label. Reconstituted THYMOGLOBULIN is physically and chemically stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature; however, room temperature storage is not recommended. As THYMOGLOBULIN contains no preservatives, reconstituted product should be used immediately. Infusion solutions of THYMOGLOBULIN must be used immediately. Any unused drug remaining after infusion must be discarded. 16.1 How Supplied THYMOGLOBULIN is supplied as a single-dose clear glass 10 mL vial containing 25 mg of lyophilized (solid) THYMOGLOBULIN. Each carton contains one THYMOGLOBULIN vial (NDC 58468-0080-1).
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.