This medication is used to strengthen the body's natural
defense system (immune system) to lower the risk of infection in persons
with a weakened immune system. This medication is made from healthy human
blood that has a high level of certain defensive substances (antibodies),
which help fight infections. It is also used to increase the blood count
(platelets) in persons with a certain blood disorder (idiopathic
thrombocytopenia purpura-ITP). Platelets are needed to stop bleeding and
form blood clots.
Some immune globulin products may also be used to treat
certain types of muscle weakness problem (multifocal motor neuropathy,
dermatomyositis) or a certain nerve disorder (chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy-CIDP). Some products may also be used to
prevent certain blood vessel disorders in people with Kawasaki
syndrome.
This medication is given by injection slowly into a vein
as directed by your doctor.
Your health care professional will start the medication
slowly while monitoring you closely. If you have few or no side effects,
the medication will be given faster. Tell your health care professional
right away if you experience any side effects such as flushing, chills,
muscle cramps, back/joint pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of
breath. The infusion may need to be stopped or given more
slowly.
The dosage and frequency depends on your medical
condition, weight, and response to treatment.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home,
learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care
professional. Before using, check this product for particles or
discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to
store and discard medical supplies safely.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. Keep all your medical/lab appointments.
See also Warning section.
Flushing, headache, dizziness, chills, muscle cramps,
back/joint pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Tell your doctor or
other health care professional right away if any of these effects occur,
last, or get worse. Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site may
also occur. If these effects continue or become bothersome, tell your
doctor.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- easy bleeding/bruising
- fainting
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- unusual tiredness
Treatment with this medication may rarely cause a
serious inflammation of the brain (aseptic meningitis syndrome) several
hours to 2 days after your treatment. Get medical help right away if you
develop severe headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, high fever, sensitivity to
light, eye pain, or severe nausea/vomiting.
Lung problems may rarely occur 1 to 6 hours after your
treatment. You will be monitored closely for any lung problems after your
treatment.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning section.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other immunoglobulin products
(such as CMV IgG); or if you have any other allergies. This product may
contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other
problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- certain immune system problems (immunoglobulin A deficiency,
monoclonal gammopathies)
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- high blood fats (triglycerides)
- migraines
- current blood infection (sepsis)
- kidney disease
- severe loss of body fluids (dehydration)
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Some immune globulin products should not be used in
people who have a certain metabolic hereditary problem (such as
fructose/sucrose intolerance). Ask your doctor for more
details.
Some immune globulin products are made with maltose.
This substance can cause false high blood sugar levels when your blood
sugar is normal or even low. If you have diabetes, check with your
pharmacist whether the product you are using contains maltose and whether
your blood sugar testing supplies will work with this product. Rarely,
serious problems have occurred when too much insulin was given because of
false high sugar readings or when low blood sugar went
untreated.
Tell your doctor of any recent or planned
immunizations/vaccinations. This medication may prevent a good response to
certain live viral vaccines (such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella).
If you have recently received any of these vaccines, your doctor may have
you tested for a response or have you vaccinated again later. If you plan
on getting any of these vaccines, your doctor will instruct you about the
best time to receive them so you get a good response.
This medication is made from human blood. Even though
the blood is carefully tested, and this medication goes through a special
manufacturing process, there is an extremely small chance that you may get
infections from the medication (such as hepatitis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease-CJD). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
information.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of the drug, especially the effects on the kidneys.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also Warning section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as certain blood sugar tests, blood type, Coombs test), possibly
causing false test results. The blood sugar interference can lead to
serious (possibly fatal) consequences. Make sure lab personnel and all your
doctors and pharmacists know you use this drug, and which type of blood
sugar testing strips you use.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count,
kidney/liver function, urine volume, blood pressure) should be done before
you start using this medication and while you are using it. Keep all
medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
It is important to get each dose of this medication as
scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for
storage details. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.