basiliximab at a glance
Medicine class
Interleukin inhibitor and immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody
Usual role
Prevention of acute rejection following a first donor kidney transplant
Administration
Given into a vein by a trained healthcare professional in hospital
Combined treatment
Used with other transplant immunosuppressants rather than alone
What is basiliximab used for?
UK-licensed use:
Preventing acute organ rejection in adults, children and adolescents receiving a first allogeneic kidney transplant, alongside other immunosuppressants.
It is not licensed for heart transplantation; efficacy and safety in heart and other non-kidney transplants have not been established.
How does basiliximab work?
Basiliximab binds to CD25 on activated T lymphocytes and blocks interleukin-2 signalling. This reduces the T-cell proliferation involved in kidney transplant rejection. It does not directly suppress bone-marrow cell production.
basiliximab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg
How to take basiliximab
Basiliximab is prepared and given in hospital as an intravenous injection or infusion under specialist supervision. It is not taken by mouth, so food does not affect administration. The reconstituted solution must be checked for particles and given through a separate line rather than mixed with other medicines.
Tell the transplant team about any previous basiliximab exposure, including an abandoned transplant operation or early graft loss.
Administration should proceed only when the transplant and accompanying immunosuppression are confirmed.
basiliximab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Constipation, nausea, diarrhoea or headache
- Urinary or upper respiratory tract infection
- High blood pressure, anaemia or peripheral swelling
- Changes in creatinine, potassium, phosphate or cholesterol
- These events were common during combined transplant treatment but were broadly comparable between basiliximab and placebo groups, so they are not necessarily caused by basiliximab.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylactoid reaction, including hives, wheezing, bronchospasm, low blood pressure or breathing failure
- Cytokine-release syndrome
- Serious or opportunistic infection, including sepsis, reflecting the overall immunosuppressive burden
basiliximab in pregnancy
The UK product information contraindicates basiliximab during pregnancy because of potentially hazardous immunosuppressive effects and inadequate human pregnancy data. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy plans promptly with the transplant specialist.
basiliximab while breastfeeding
The UK product information contraindicates basiliximab during breastfeeding and advises avoiding breastfeeding. Direct clinical evidence is absent, so specialist advice is essential.
basiliximab interactions
Metabolic interactions are not expected because basiliximab is an immunoglobulin, but combined treatment has clinically relevant considerations.
Live attenuated vaccines
Avoid during immunosuppression because they may cause infection. Responses to inactivated vaccines may also be reduced.
Azathioprine
Adding azathioprine reduced basiliximab clearance in studies, without an observed increase in adverse events or infections compared with placebo.
Mycophenolate mofetil
Adding mycophenolate reduced basiliximab clearance in studies, without an observed increase in adverse events or infections compared with placebo.
Common questions about basiliximab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is basiliximab used for after a kidney transplant?
It helps prevent acute rejection of a first donor kidney and is used alongside other immunosuppressants.
Is basiliximab chemotherapy?
No. It is a targeted immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody, not conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Does basiliximab prevent all kidney transplant rejection?
No. It lowers the risk of acute rejection but cannot guarantee that rejection will not occur. Other immunosuppressants and transplant monitoring remain necessary.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.