basiliximab (Simulect)

Indications

• prevention of organ transplant rejection
  • kidney transplant
  • heart transplant
  • lung transplant

Dosage

• 10-20 mg IV (twice)
• intravenous infusion over 20-30 minutes
• given in 2 doses
  • 1st dose 2 hours prior to transpant surgery
  • 2nd dose 4 days after surgery

Adverse effects

• risk of hypersensitivity (limit to 2 doses)

• drug adverse effects of immunosuppressive agents
• drug adverse effects of pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies

Mechanism of action

• mouse-human monoclonal antibody to CD25 (IL2 receptor alpha)

Notes

• Novartis, FDA-approved 1998

More general terms

• pharmaceutical monoclonal antibody
• immunosuppressive agent