What is Atgam: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Feb 14, 2024

Atgam overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Atgam

Generic Names:

  • Atgam

Uses:

  • Prevents or treats rejection episodes in people who have had a kidney transplant. Treats certain types of aplastic anemia (decrease in blood cells caused by a bone marrow problem).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Immune Serum

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Atgam used for?

What form(s) does Atgam come in

  • Injectable

What are common Atgam doses?

  • Ampule 5ml of 50mg/ml

How to take Atgam

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and how often it should be given.Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle or a catheter (plastic tube) placed in one of your veins.

What to do if you miss a dose of Atgam

  • This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. Keep all appointments. If you miss a dose, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Atgam contraindications

  • You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lymphocyte immune globulin or any equine (horse) gamma globulin.

Atgam warnings

  • Skin rash.

  • Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

  • Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf), back, or flank (side).

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • New or worsening body swelling.

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or stools that are bloody or dark.

  • Chest pain, or heartbeat that is pounding, irregular, too fast, or too slow.

  • This medicine is made from equine (horse) blood and donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicine made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • This medicine may cause high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar while on this medicine.

  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine, especially if doses of other medicine you use are being decreased (steroids, immune suppressants). You may also need frequent blood or urine tests.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you think you are pregnant, or if you are breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, liver disease, circulation problems, or other blood problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any immune globulin.

Atgam interactions

  • This medicine is made from equine (horse) blood and donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicine made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • This medicine may cause high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar while on this medicine.

  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine, especially if doses of other medicine you use are being decreased (steroids, immune suppressants). You may also need frequent blood or urine tests.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you think you are pregnant, or if you are breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, liver disease, circulation problems, or other blood problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any immune globulin.

Atgam side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Chest pain, or heartbeat that is pounding, irregular, too fast, or too slow.

  • Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or stools that are bloody or dark.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf), back, or flank (side).

  • Fever, chills, sweating, coughing, sore throat, or glands that are swollen or tender.

  • New or worsening body swelling.

  • Redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site.

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, confusion, or seizures (convulsions).

  • Dark or bloody urine, trouble urinating, or a decrease in how much or how often you urinate.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Skin rash.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Tremors or shaking.

  • Headache, joint pain, muscle aches, pain or burning in the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet.

  • Mouth redness and pain, or mouth sores.

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