Belatacept

Belatacept is an injection that is used in combination with other medications to prevent rejection following a kidney transplant.

• Pronunciation
• Precautions
• How belatacept works
• Taking belatacept
• Common side effects
• Dangerous side effects
• Belatacept and pregnancy
• Drug interactions
• Brand names

Pronunciation

Bel at’ a sept

Precautions

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to belatacept or any of the ingredients. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving a belatacept injection.
• Belatacept may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, and sun lamps. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF) when you have to be in the sun during your treatment.
• Do not have any vaccinations without talking to your doctor.

How belatacept works

Belatacept is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. This medication works by decreasing the activity of the immune system to prevent it from attacking the transplanted kidney.

Taking belatacept

A belatacept injection comes as a liquid solution to be injected over 30 minutes into a vein, usually by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given on the day of transplant, 5 days after transplant, at the end of weeks 2 and 4, then once every 4 weeks.

Common side effects

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Constipation
• Excessive fatigue
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Pale skin
• Swelling of hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Dangerous side effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• Change in mood, behavior, or personality
• Change in vision or speech
• Change in walking or talking
• Clumsiness
• Confusion
• Decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body
• Difficulty remembering
• Shortness of breath

Belatacept and pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking the belatacept injection, call your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Do not have any vaccinations without talking to your doctor.

Brand names

Nulojix

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