Immune globulin intravenous (IVIG) may cause blood clots. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition(s) that affect blood clotting or history of a blood clot, a catheter placed into a vein, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, or if you are overweight or obese, an older adult, or are bedridden. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any type of estrogen medication. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any type of estrogen medications. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or get emergency care immediately: pain and/or swelling of an arm or leg with warmth over the affected area; discoloration of an arm or leg; unexplained shortness of breath, acute chest pain or discomfort that worsens on deep breathing; or unexplained rapid pulse or numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
IVIG may cause kidney problems that may be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or ever had kidney problems, have diabetes, or if you are an older adult or are overweight or obese. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any type of medication so they can review to see if it could also affect your kidneys. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor: decreased urination; sudden weight gain; swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or shortness of breath.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to immune globulin.
Why is this medicine prescribed?
Immune globulin intravenous (IVIG) is used to treat primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and dermatomyositis (DM). Your doctor will decide which IVIG product you will receive. . IVIG is also used to improve muscle strength and disability in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). IVIG is used to prevent infections in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and to prevent an increase in size of the coronary artery in children with Kawasaki syndrome (an autoimmune disease). IVIG is in a class of medications called immune globulins. It works by providing antibodies to fight infections and to manage other conditions.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
IVIG medications come as a solution (liquid) to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare facility. It will be given as directed by your doctor to manage your condition and specific needs.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking IVIG medications,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to immune globulin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in IVIG solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
- tell your doctor if you have have an inherited intolerance to fructose or if you are uncertain if your child is sucrose or fructose intolerant if you or your child are to receive IVIG (Gammaplex ® ). Also tell your doctor if you have hyperprolinemia (excess amounts of the amino acid proline in the blood) if you are to receive IVIG (Privigen ® ).
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving IVIG medications, tell your doctor.
- do not have any vaccinations (live vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella) without talking to your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
IVIG medications may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- tiredness
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- redness, swelling, or pain at or around the place of injection
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- severe headache, neck stiffness, drowsiness, fever, sensitivity to light, painful eye movements, nausea and vomiting
- tiredness, increased heart rate, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark- colored urine
- trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips or extremities, fever
- fever, chills, tiredness, and other signs of infection
IVIG medications may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (
1-800-332-1088).What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving an IVIG medication.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.