Orthoclone OKT 3 injection is a monoclonal antibody used in reducing the body’s natural immunity. This drug is used in patients who receive organ transplants.
During an organ transplant, the receiving body’s white blood cells are programmed to reject the transplanted organ. This drug works by preventing the white blood cells do the “rejection”.
Because of its effects on the white blood cells, the body’s ability to fight infections will be greatly reduced during the course of treatment. Muromonab-CD3 is used only under a doctor’s supervision.
If you are about to start Orthoclone OKT 3, speak with your doctor about what you need to know. The risks and benefits the medicine offer must be weighed.
Before using this, you and your doctor must consider the following:
Allergies
If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - food, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.
Pediatric
No specific studies are done to determine the effects of this drug in children. Nevertheless, when using this in children, utmost caution is necessary. Children are susceptible to dehydration, which may be caused by vomiting and diarrhea -- some of the common side effects of this drug.
Geriatric
The efficacy of this drug is not determined in the geriatric population.
Pregnancy
There are no adequate studies done to show efficacy and side effects in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding
Although there are no adequate studies in lactating mothers that determine potential risk in an infant when breastfeeding, the benefits should be weighed against the risks before taking this medication.
Drug Interactions
Some drugs have adverse effects when used together. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary. Before using Muromonab-Cd3, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications.
It is also important to inform your doctor if you are smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol since these may interact with the drug’s effectiveness. Inform your doctor about any drug you are using, prescription or nonprescription, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements before using Muromonab-Cd3.
Other medical problems
If you have any other medical problems, how you use this drug may become affected. The presence of angina, seizures, circulation problems, recent heart attack or heart problems, lung problems, or kidney problems can increase the risk of serious side effects from this drug.
If you have a history of blood clots in blood vessels or transplanted organs or a recent exposure to shingles or chickenpox, your risk of getting a severe disease is higher.
Furthermore, if you receive this drug while you have an infection, your health is at risk to becoming more compromised since this drug lowers your body’s ability to fight infection.
To use Orthoclone OKT 3 properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Dosage for this medicine generally depends on the patient. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions.
This drug is injected into a vein by a licensed health practitioner, under your doctor’s supervision.
Dosage is usually 5 milligrams of Muromonab-Cd3 once a day, for adults, while dosage for children is usually determined by the doctor based on body weight.
If you take Orthoclone OKT 3, your doctor should perform routine checkups and advise you in taking precautions. Close monitoring is important while you are under treatment, in order for the doctor to determine if the drug is working properly and to check if unwanted side effects occurred.
While under Orthoclone OKT 3 treatment and after treatment, do not receive any vaccinations or immunizations without the doctor’s approval.
Because this drug may lower the resistance of your body, there is a high risk you will get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. Furthermore, your household members should not receive oral polio vaccine because of a high risk of the polio virus be passed on to you.
Getting treated with muromonab-CD3 increases your risk of catching other infections. Avoid people with infections, such as colds and flu. Consult your doctor right away if you are experiencing the early symptoms of a cold or other infection.
Using this medicine may cause:
within the first few hours after the medicine is first administered.
After the next dose, these side effects should be less. If you have:
call your doctor right away.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Orthoclone OKT 3. Not all of the side effects listed below may occur, but if they do, you may need to get medical attention.
If any of the side effects take place, consult your doctor:
This medicine may still cause some side effects, even after stopping the treatment. If you think the side effects are becoming bothersome, check with your doctor.
