Treating rejection in kidney transplant patients. It is also used with other medicines to delay the onset of kidney transplant rejection. Atgam is also used to treat moderate to severe aplastic anemia in certain patients who cannot have a bone marrow transplant.
Atgam is a lymphocyte-selective immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the action of certain types of blood cells (T lymphocytes), which are part of the body's immune system.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Atgam . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atgam . However, no specific interactions with Atgam are known at this time.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atgam may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Use Atgam as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atgam .
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; headache; joint pain; nausea; night sweats; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; chest pain; confusion or disorientation; decreased urination or dark urine; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; irritation or sores in the mouth; muscle pain; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; pain or swelling in the legs; pain or swelling in the neck or under the arms; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; stomach pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual skin sensations (eg, burning or tingling).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Atgam :Store Atgam in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep Atgam out of the reach of children and away from pets.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Atgam . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.