Intraglobin F

Generic Name: Immunoglobulin, normal (human)
Product Name: Intraglobin F

Indication

Intraglobin F is used as an immune replacement therapy.
It is used to treat immunodeficiency syndromes, such as agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia and Wiskott Aldrich syndrome; chronic lymphocytic leakaemia; multiple myeloma; recurrent childhood infections; recurrent bacterial infections combined with immunodeficiency; and children who are born with AIDS.

Action

Antibodies are cells in the body which recognise infection and trigger the bodyâ??s immune system to fight the infection.

Intraglobin F is made up of antibodies taken from the donated blood of over one thousand donors, so it contains most of the antibodies present in a normal population.

Patients who have immunodeficiency syndromes or diseases that affect the immune system benefit from Intraglobin F because it replaces many of the antibodies, which the patientâ??s body is unable to produce on its own.

Intraglobin F therefore offers these patients some protection against diseases that are common in the community.

Dose advice

The dose of Intraglobin F to be taken depends on the reason for taking the medication and the patientâ??s bodyâ??s response to the medication.

Intraglobin F should be administered via an intravenous infusion (a drip into a vein) by a doctor. The starting dose is likely to be either 4-8mL or 8-16mL, depending on the patientâ??s condition. Intraglobin usually needs to be given every 2-4 weeks.

The doctor will need to perform blood tests regularly to monitor the level of the medication in the patientâ??s blood. This will help to determine the dose of medication and the timing of the dose that is right for each patient.

Schedule

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Common side effects

– Chills
– Headache
– Fever
– Vomiting
– Allergy
– Nausea
– Arthralgia (painful joints)
– Low blood pressure
– Mild back pain

Uncommon side effects

– Sudden blood pressure drop
– Anaphylactic shock
– Aseptic meningitis syndrome (headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, fever, inability to tolerate light, painful eye movements, nausea, vomiting). This syndrome is reversible.
– Kidney dysfunction and acute kidney failure, evidenced by increased serum creatinine levels (a blood test).

– Patients who have kidney disease, diabetes, paraproteinaemia and patients who are over 65 years old should inform their doctor of these facts as they can increase the risk of kidney dysfunction.

– Patients should also inform the doctor of any other medication they are taking prior to receiving Intraglobin F.
– Haemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) and haemolytic anaemia (deficiency of red blood cells due to rupture): Positive direct antiglobulin test and red cell haemolysis due to presence of anti-A, anti-B or anti-D red cell antibodies.
– Skin reactions
– Cramps, chest tightness, fever
– Bronchospasm (spasm of the airways), shortness of breath, runny nose
– Thromboembolism (blood clot)
– Anxiety
– Tachycardia (fast pulse)

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For further information talk to your doctor.