Drug Notes

Immune globulin subcutaneous (By injection)

Immune Globulin (i-MUNE GLOB-ue-lin)

Treats problems with your immune system. Helps prevent infection or make infection less severe.

Brand Name(s):

Cuvitru, Hizentra, HyQvia

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has flecks (particles) floating in it. Do not heat up or shake the medicine.
• Keep a treatment diary or logbook to record details about each injection, such as time, date, dose, lot number, and reactions.
• Do not change the brand or type of your immune globulin unless your doctor tells you to.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. You may refrigerate the medicine, but do not freeze it. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before you use it.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how immune globulin works. Tell your doctor about any medicine you use that affects your kidneys, or if you are also using heparin or estrogen (including birth control pills).
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, heart disease, blood clotting problems, or diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you have IgA deficiency or antibodies, or high levels of proline
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Blood clots, which could lead to heart attack or stroke
  • Serious kidney or lung problems
  • Low sodium or high protein levels in your blood
  • Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS)
  • Bleeding, hemolytic anemia
• This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you are concerned.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Severe trouble breathing, fever, blue lips or fingers
• Stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, eye pain, eye sensitivity to light
• Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Low fever
• Mild headache or pain
• Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, warmth, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017