Belatacept (By injection)
bel-AT-a-sept
Helps prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. This medicine suppresses your immune system.
Drug classes
Immunological Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Belatacept injection belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It is used together with other medicines to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.
When a patient receives a kidney transplant, the body’s white blood cells will try to get rid of (reject) the transplanted kidney. Belatacept works by suppressing the immune system and prevents the white blood cells from trying to get rid of the transplanted organ.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will need to stay in place for at least 30 minutes.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how belatacept works. Tell your doctor if you taking any of the following:
Medicines that weaken the immune system, including steroids (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone) Mycophenolate mofetilThis medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to belatacept.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, or if you had an infection that would not go away or kept coming back. Also tell your doctor if anyone in your home ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.
This medicine may increase your risk for the following problems:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) Infection, including a serious infection called polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) Certain types of cancer, especially skin cancerThis medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections while you are using this medicine. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
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
Confusion, muscle cramps, shortness of breath
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination, or cloudy or bloody urine
Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Increased thirst or hunger
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
Problems with thinking, memory, vision, speech, or walking
Skin lesions, or change in the size or color of a mole
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, or stomach pain
Sores or ulcers in your mouth
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.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Nulojix
There may be other brand names for this medicine.