Anti-thymocyte Globulin (rabbit) Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 29, 2025.

Applies to anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit): intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including infusion reaction and anaphylaxis. These can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to have cough, trouble breathing, hives, itching, or skin rash, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the face or lips.

Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting cancer of the lymph system (lymphoma). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

While you are being treated with anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit), and after you stop treatment with it, it is important to see your doctor about the immunizations (vaccinations) you should receive. Do not get any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit):

Other side effects

Some side effects of anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit): intravenous powder for injection.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia
• Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, hypotension, reduced oxygen supply to tissues, chest pain^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (28%), pain (26%)
• Frequency not reported: Lethargy, malaise^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (18%)
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, decreased sensitivity^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (63%), anemia (25%), thrombocytopenia (16%), neutropenia
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (33%), vomiting (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, moniliasis, gastritis, dysphagia
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal tenderness, abdominal discomfort, pain in the mouth and throat^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (42%)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (13%), sweating (13%), acne (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Herpes simplex
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (28%), lower respiratory tract infection (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis
• Frequency not reported: Cough, throat irritation, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperphosphatemia, acidosis, hypokalemia, anorexia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (31%), cytomegaloviral infection (13%), sepsis (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Herpes zoster, oral candidiasis, sepsis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serum sickness^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infusion related reactions
• Frequency not reported: Localized edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (20%), arthralgia (15%)
• Frequency not reported: Joint pain^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (20%), anxiety (14%)
• Frequency not reported: Confusional state, agitation, restlessness^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Transaminases increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatocellular injury, hepatotoxicity, hepatic failure^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Malignancy, lymphomas (which may be virally mediated), neoplasms malignant (solid tumors)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphoproliferative disorder^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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