What is Muromonab Cd3?

Muromonab-CD3 lowers your body’s immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or “reject” a transplanted organ such as a kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Muromonab-CD3 is used with other medications to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.
Muromonab-CD3 may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Muromonab Cd3?

Muromonab-CD3 is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection just before your transplant and again 4 days afterward. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Some people receiving a muromonab-CD3 injection have had a reaction to the infusion (within 30 to 60 minutes after the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel chilled or feverish, nauseated, weak, shaky, or light-headed, or if you have a headache, or joint and muscle aches. These side effects may also occur up to several hours after your injection.
Muromonab-CD3 can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor after your transplant.
Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid receiving a vaccine or flu shot shortly after you have been treated with muromonab-CD3, unless your doctor has told you to.
There may be other drugs that can affect muromonab-CD3. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Muromonab Cd3?

You should not be given this medication if you are allergic to muromonab or mouse proteins, or if you have:

heart failure
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
if you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Before receiving muromonab-CD3, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

chest pain (angina)
congestive heart failure
a breathing disorder
a history of heart attack or stroke; or
if you have recently taken a diuretic (“water pill”)

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive muromonab-CD3.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether muromonab-CD3 passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Muromonab Cd3 Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Muromonab Cd3?

Some people receiving a muromonab-CD3 injection have had a reaction to the infusion (within 30 to 60 minutes after the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel chilled or feverish, nauseated, weak, shaky, or light-headed, or if you have a headache, or joint and muscle aches. These side effects may also occur up to several hours after your injection.
Tell your caregivers right away if you have any of these serious side effects:

wheezing, gasping, shortness of breath
fast or uneven heart rate, chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light
loss of vision or muscle control
seizure (black-out or convulsions)
pain or burning when you urinate
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
high fever, chills, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, body aches, flu symptoms

Less serious side effects may include:

mild headache
nausea, constipation, upset stomach
sleep problems (insomnia); or
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Muromonab Cd3 Interactions

What other drugs affect Muromonab Cd3?

Before receiving muromonab-CD3, tell your doctor if you are using any drugs that weaken your immune system, such as:

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
basiliximab (Simulect), efalizumab (Raptiva)
azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel)
steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others
sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf)
mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel); or
any type of chemotherapy or radiation treatment

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with muromonab-CD3. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Muromonab Cd3?

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid receiving a vaccine or flu shot shortly after you have been treated with muromonab-CD3, unless your doctor has told you to.

Muromonab Cd3 Dosage

How should I take Muromonab Cd3?

What happens if I overdose on Muromonab Cd3?

An overdose of muromonab-CD3 is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What happens if I miss a dose of Muromonab Cd3?

Since muromonab-CD3 is given while you are in the hospital, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com

Muromonab Cd3