About belatacept
Selective T-cell costimulation blocker
Used for
- Prevention of kidney transplant rejection, with other immunosuppressive medicines.
Usual adult dose
Usually 10 mg/kg by intravenous infusion on days 1 and 5, then weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12; maintenance is usually 5 mg/kg every 4 weeks.
Common side effects
- Anemia
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Urinary tract infection
- Headache
Important warnings
- Only for recipients who are Epstein-Barr virus positive; risk of serious brain infection is higher otherwise.
- Can increase risk of serious infections, cancers, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
- Use only in kidney transplant recipients; liver transplant use has been linked to graft loss and death.
- Must be combined with other transplant medicines and given under specialist supervision.
Pregnancy
May harm a fetus; human pregnancy information is limited. Use during pregnancy only when clearly needed.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether belatacept passes into breast milk; weigh treatment benefits against potential infant risks.
Interactions
- Other immunosuppressants can increase infection and cancer risks.
- Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.