ANTITHYMOCYTE GLOBULIN -
Noun: An immunosuppressant which is used to reduce the body's natural immunity in patients who receive a bone marrow transplant or undergo treatment for Aplastic Anaemia It reduces the activity of the T lymphocytes which are attacking bone marrow stem cells. I spoke to Dr. Marsh, who is doing research on AA & MDS with Professor Gordon Smith and she assures me that Antithymocyte Globulin is exactly the same as Antilymphocyte Globulin. Both names are used for the same product. A Thymocyte is a lymphocyte which is in the Thymus.

When a patient receives a bone marrow transplant , the white blood cells produced by the new stem cells in the bone marrow will try to get rid of (reject) the patients body. Antithymocyte globulin works by eliminating the white blood cells which are doing this.

Greek - anti = opposing +

Greek - thymos = a warty unnatural growth (referring to the thymus gland which is at the base of the neck and has been thought to have no function in adults) +

-cyte = a cell from Greek - kytos = anything hollow.

Before Having This Treatment

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to horses or rabbits. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Precautions:

Treatment with antithymocyte globulin may also increase the chance of getting other infections. While in the hospital avoid people with colds or other infections. If you think you are getting a cold or other infection, check with your doctor. After treatment it is particularly important to avoid those with colds or other infections as you will not only have few neutrophils but the more aggressive T Lymphocytes will have been killed off by your treatment so you will be in a very fragile situation.

This treatment commonly causes fever, chills and shakes within a few hours after the first dose. These effects should be less after the second dose. However, check with your doctor or nurse immediately if you have chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or wheezing, or swelling of the face or throat after any dose.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Because of the way that antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin acts on the body, there is a chance that it may cause effects that may not occur until years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancers. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Because ATG/ALG causes water retention, you will be given a drug which will help you get your water levels down. If you notice your heart working harder, bloating or swelling, let the nurses know and they can sort this out.

Although not all of the following side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Black, tarry stools; bladder pain; chest pain; chills; cloudy or bloody urine; cold; confusion; cough or hoarseness; fast heartbeat; fever; flu-like symptoms; frequent urge to urinate; high blood pressure; irregular or slow heartbeat; lower back or side pain; numbness or tingling around lips, hands, or feet; painful or difficult urination; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; sore throat; sores, ulcers, swollen glands; tiredness or weakness; unexplained anxiety; unusual bleeding or bruising; weakness or heaviness of legs; abdominal pain; diarrhoea; dizziness; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness; nausea; pain; swelling of ankles, feet, and fingers; tightness in chest; unusual weak feeling; wheezing.

Less common

Burning or stinging of skin; painful cold sores or blisters on lips, nose, eyes, or genitals. White patches on mouth, tongue, or throat.

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if you notice any other effects.

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