Daclizumab, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: immunosuppressant; monoclonal antibody

Generic and brand names: daclizumab, injection; dacliximab, injection; Zenapax

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. It is used with other medicines to prevent transplant rejection.

It may be used for 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
• liver disease.

Also tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of infection or if you are taking radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant while you are receiving this medicine and for 4 months after the treatment is completed. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by your healthcare provider.

You will usually be given 5 doses. The first dose is given no more than 24 hours before the transplant. The remaining 4 doses are given every 14 days. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly.

What should I watch out for?

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.

This medicine may delay wound healing. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

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 reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, irregular or fast heartbeat, fever, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, dizziness, swelling of hands or feet, mouth sores, shaking chills, blood in the urine, decreased urine output.

Other: Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, trouble sleeping, headache, blurred vision, acne, depression, anxiety, sweating, muscle pain, back pain, leg cramps.

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 if you are taking:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
• corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Sterapred), prednisolone (Orapred), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort)
• echinacea
• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.