Immunoglobulins, Normal Human, For Intravascular Adm.

Immunoglobulins is a prescription medication that contains immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that come from human plasma. It is used to treat disorders of the immune system or to boost immune response to serious illness, and to treat bone marrow recipients who have suppressed immune systems.

Exactly how immunoglobulins work within the body is unknown. For patients who are unable to produce their own antibodies, this medication temporarily provides the antibodies they need to prevent infection. In patients with autoimmune diseases, or other conditions where the body's immune system is not functioning properly, it can help regulate an overactive immune system by signaling it to slow down or stop inflammatory processes.

Immunoglobulins are given by injection into a vein (IV), usually in a medical setting (infusion center, hospital, doctor's office). Some immunoglobulins are also formulated to be injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) using an infusion pump.

Regular infusions are necessary to maintain immune globulin levels within the desired range. How often you’ll receive infusions is something your healthcare professional will determine. Typically, an intravenous infusion takes place every 3–4 weeks and a subcutaneous infusion takes place once a week.

Common side effects include redness, swelling and itching at injection site, headache and nausea.

Immunoglobulins is a prescription medication that contains immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. It is used to treat disorders of the immune system or to boost immune response to serious illness, and to treat bone marrow recipients who have suppressed immune systems. Specifically, this medication is approved to treat:

• Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency (PI)
• Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Immunoglobulins, Normal Human, For Intravascular Adm. may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Gammagard

• Gamunex-C

• Hizentra

• Privigen

Tell your healthcare provider about the medications you take including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you have recently received a live vaccine as this medication may interefere with your body's response to live vaccines.

Also, medications that contain the hormone estrogen (for example, birth control pills), may increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking one of these medications.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of this medication there are no specific foods you must exclude from your diet.

Before receiving this medication, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• have a history of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), stroke, heart attack, or heart failure (low volume of blood pumped by the heart)
• have a blood clotting disorder
• are inactive for long periods of time (such as long bed rest)
• if you use estrogens
• if you have thickening of your blood
• have a kidney problem
• have Type II diabetes mellitus
• are older than 65
• are dehydrated
• have a blood infection (sepsis)
• have high protein content in your blood
• are receiving other medicines that are harmful to your kidneys
• have an allergy to immune globulin

Tell your healthcare provider about the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. It is also not known whether this medication can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Immune globulins cross the placenta from maternal circulation increasingly after 30 weeks of gestation. This medication should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly indicated.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

It is not known whether this medication is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when it is administered to a nursing woman.

Immunoglobulins are given by injection into a vein (IV), usually in a medical setting (infusion center, hospital, doctor's office). Some immunoglobulins are also formulated to be injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) using an infusion pump. 

Regular infusions are necessary to maintain immune globulin levels within the desired range. How often you’ll receive infusions is something your healthcare professional will determine. Typically, an intravenous infusion takes place every 3–4 weeks and a subcutaneous infusion takes place once a week.

If your healthcare provider feels it appropriate for you to give yourself subcutaneous injections using an infusion pump, clear instructions and training on subcutaneous infusion will be provided. This medication must be injected subcutaneously into the stomach, thighs, upper arms, or hips.

If this medication is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

If you have injected too much medication, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Do not freeze. Refrigeration requirements vary depending on the brand product. If you are infusing this medication at home, be sure to know the storage requirements for the product you receive.

Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.