IMMUNE GLOBULIN (INTRAVENOUS AND SUBCUTANEOUS)
(im MYOON GLOB yoo lin) Brand: Gammagard, Gammaked, Gamunex-C
What is the most significant information I must know about immune globulin?
• You must not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin, or if you have immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibody to IgA.
• Till using this medicine, speak your doctor if you have kidney malady, heart malady, diabetes, hyperproteinemia (high levels of protein in the blood), paraproteinemia (abnormal proteins in the blood), a serious infection called sepsis, blood circulation problems or a blood vessel mess, a history of stroke or blood clot, if you are on a low-salt diet, if you take diuretics, if you are 65 or older, or if you have been bed-ridden due to severe illness.
• Immune globulin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is heighten when you also use determined another medicines deleterious to the kidneys. Till using immune globulin, speak your doctor about all another medications you use. Much another drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be deleterious to the kidneys.
• You may need a doze adjustment if you are exposed to measles, or if you travel to an area where this malady is common.
What is immune globulin?
• Immune globulin is a sterilized solution made from human plasma. It contains the antibodies to help your body protect itself against infection from different diseases.
• Immune globulin intravenous and subcutaneous (for injection into a vein or under the skin) is used to treat primary immune deficiency, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. This medicine is also used to improve muscle power in adults with multifocal engine neuropathy.
• Immune globulin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking immune globulin?
• You must not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin, or if you have immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibody to IgA.
• To create certain you can safely use immune globulin, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· kidney malady (or if you are on dialysis);
· diabetes;
· a serious infection called sepsis;
· hyperproteinemia (high level of a determined amino acid in the blood);
· a condition called paraproteinemia (abnormal proteins in the blood);
· blood circulation problems or a blood vessel disorder;
· a history of stroke or blood clot;
· if you are on a low salt diet or you take diuretics (water pills);
· if you have a prolonged diseases that causes diarrhea or vomiting;
· if you are 65 years or older; or
· if you have been bed-ridden due to severe illness.
• You may need a doze adjustment if you are exposed to measles, or if you travel to an area where this malady is common.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether immune globulin will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• It is not known whether immune globulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Immune globulin is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and another infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a little possibility it could transmit malady. Conversation with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
How must I use immune globulin?
• Immune globulin is injected into a vein through an IV, or injected under the skin using an infusion exhaust. You may be shown how to use injections at house. Do not self-inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, tubing, and another items used to inject the medicine.
• How you give this medicine, how often you receive it, and the length of your infusion time will depend on the condition being treated. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions. If you are using the injections at house, be certain you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
• Do not inject immune globulin into a vein if you have been instructed to give the medication as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin).
• This medicine comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Immune globulin should be given slowly. You may need to use different catheters to inject this medication into various body areas at the same time. Your care provider will show you the excellent places on your body to inject the medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions. Hold a diary of the days and times you gave the injection and where you injected it on your body.
• Do not shake the medicine bottle or you may ruin the medication. Prepare your doze only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not mix immune globulin with another medications in the same infusion. Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors, looks cloudy, or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Use disposable injection items (needle, catheter, tubing) only once. Throw away the used items in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Hold this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• To be certain this medicine is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
• This medicine can reason unusual results with determined medical trials. Speak any doctor who treats you that you are using immune globulin.
• Every single use vial (bottle) of this medication is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medication left in it after injecting your dose.
• Store this medication in its original carton in the refrigerator. Do not freeze immune globulin, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.
• You may take the medication out of the refrigerator and let it to reach room temperature 1 hour till preparing your doze. Do not heat the medication till using.
• You may also store immune globulin for up to 6 months at room temperature. Hold away from moisture and heat.
• Throw away any unused immune globulin after the expiration date on the label has passed.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a doze of immune globulin.
What happens if I overdose?
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What must I avoid while using immune globulin?
• Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using immune globulin. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from malady. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.
What are the possible side effects of immune globulin?
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficulty breathing; dizziness, feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating smaller than normal or not at all;
· pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or a lump in your arms or legs;
· pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
· fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, heighten sensitivity to easy, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions);
· chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing; or
· signs of new infection such as tall fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, or sores in your mouth and throat.
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· mild headache, blurred vision, weary feeling;
· low fever, sore throat, cough;
· redness, itching, and swelling of skin where the injection was given;
· nausea, vomiting;
· muscle spasm or weakness;
· back pain, joint pain, pain in your arms or legs; or
· mild skin rash.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What another drugs will affect immune globulin?
• Immune globulin can harm your kidneys. This effect is heighten when you also use another drugs (including some over the counter medicines) deleterious to the kidneys. You may need doze adjustments or particular trials if you have recently used:
· medicines to treat a bowel disorder;
· medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;
· antiviral medications;
· chemotherapy;
· pain or arthritis medicines, including aspirin (Anacin, Excedrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and others; or
· any injected antibiotics.
• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with immune globulin. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about immune globulin.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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