Belatacept, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to prevent kidney transplant rejection.
• You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, or cause other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: immunosuppressant; selective T-cell co-stimulation blocker

Generic and brand names: belatacept, injection; Nulojix

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to prevent kidney transplant rejection. It is used along with other medicines.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
• High blood pressure

Your healthcare provider will test you for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) before you receive this medicine. You may also need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Read the Medication Guide when you start taking this medicine and each time you get an infusion.

Only healthcare providers experienced with this medicine should prescribe it. It will be given by infusion in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. You will need several doses of this medicine. Keep all appointments for infusions.

Take any other medicines to prevent infection or transplant rejection exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes.

What if I miss a dose?

Do not miss an appointment for an infusion. If you miss an appointment for an infusion, contact your healthcare provider to reschedule your appointment.

What should I watch out for?

This is a very strong medicine. You need lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may increase your risk for certain types of cancer, especially skin cancer. To decrease your risk, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed.

This medicine increases your risk of developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a type of cancer where white blood cells grow out of control after an organ transplant. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reactions (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing); sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Fever, chills, chest pain or fast heartbeat, sore throat; cough; blood in urine; painful, increased, or decreased urination; pain near your transplanted kidney; unusual tiredness or weakness; swelling in your hands or feet, or any unexplained swelling; changes in mood or behavior; confusion; loss of memory or problems thinking; unexplained weight loss; swollen glands; severe stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea; night sweats; unusual changes in skin moles or new skin moles or sores, unusual skin bumps or lumps; severe muscle pain or weakness; increased thirst or hunger.

Other: Trembling hands, mild muscle or joint pain, headache, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, swelling in the gums, white patches or sores inside mouth or on lips, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider before you have:

• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.