Basiliximab lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.

Basiliximab is used with other medications to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

Basiliximab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use basiliximab if you are allergic to it.

Before you receive this medicine, tell your doctor if you have cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high or low levels of potassium in your blood.

Basiliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Avoid receiving a vaccine shortly after you have been treated with basiliximab, unless your doctor has told you to.

There may be other drugs that can interact with basiliximab. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

You should not use basiliximab if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely receive basiliximab, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• cancer;

• diabetes;

• high cholesterol; or

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low levels of potassium in your blood);

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether basiliximab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using basiliximab.