Drug Notes

Belatacept (By injection)

Belatacept (bel-AT-a-sept)

Helps prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. This medicine suppresses your immune system.

Brand Name(s):

Nulojix

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will need to stay in place for at least 30 minutes.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how belatacept works. Tell your doctor if you taking any of the following:
  • Medicines that weaken the immune system, including steroids (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone)
  • Mycophenolate mofetil
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, or if you had an infection that would not go away or kept coming back. Also tell your doctor if anyone in your home ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.
• This medicine may increase your risk for the following problems:
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)
  • Infection, including a serious infection called polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN)
  • Certain types of cancer, especially skin cancer
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed.
• Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections while you are using this medicine. Wash your hands often.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion, muscle cramps, shortness of breath
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination, or cloudy or bloody urine
• Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Problems with thinking, memory, vision, speech, or walking
• Skin lesions, or change in the size or color of a mole
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Tremors or seizures
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Acne
• Back, muscle, or joint pain
• Diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, or stomach pain
• Sores or ulcers in your mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017