Simulect® | Simulect (Basiliximab) - 20mg (Injection)

How does Simulect (Basiliximab) work?

Simulect injection contains the active ingredient basiliximab, which is a type of medicine called a monoclonal antibody. It belongs to a group of medicines called immunosupressants. These medicines reduce the body's immune response.

The immune system normally protects the body from foreign cells and infections by producing antibodies to fight them. A transplanted organ can be attacked by the immune system in a similar way, because it is recognised by the body as a foreign substance. This is known as "transplant rejection".

Basiliximab is used to help prevent the cells of the immune system from rejecting a transplanted kidney. When a kidney from another person is transplanted into the body, white blood cells called T lymphocytes recognise the new kidney as foreign material and become activated. The activated T- cells display a receptor on their surface, and a substance called interleukin-2 normally recognises and binds to these receptors.

Interleukin-2 is an important substance in the immune system. It causes the T-cells to multiply dramatically so that they can launch an attack on the foreign material and destroy it. Normally this type of immune response protects the body from foreign invadors, but in the case of a transplanted kidney, it causes the new organ to be rejected.

Basiliximab is used in kidney transplants to block this immune response. Basiliximab is designed to recognise and bind to the receptors displayed by the activated T-cells. This blocks interleukin-2 from binding to the T-cells and stimulating them to multiply. The result is to protect the transplanted kidney from being attacked by large numbers of T-cells, which gives the transplant a greater chance of being sucessful.

Basiliximab is given by injection or infusion (drip) into a vein. Only two doses are required, the first within two hours before the transplant surgery and the second four days after. This is to stop the body rejecting the new kidney during the first four to six weeks after the transplant. You will also be given other immunosuppressive medicines (usually ciclosporin and corticosteroids) to help prevent your body rejecting the transplant, and you will need to continue some of these after you leave hospital.

What is Simulect (Basiliximab) used for?

• Preventing rejection of kidney transplants (in combination with ciclosporin and corticosteroids).

Simulect (Basiliximab) Side Effects

• Severe allergic reactions such as narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm), difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, itchy blistering rash, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), heart failure or anaphylactic shock