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Normal Immunoglobulin (Viral Inactivated)

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Generic Name: Immunoglobulin, normal (human)
Product Name: Normal Immunoglobulin (Viral Inactivated)

Indication

Normal Immunoglobulin is used in the treatment of hypogammaglobulinaemia (a deficiency of the immune system), and in prevention of: hepatitis A; measles; and polio.

Action

Antibodies occur naturally in your body. They are part of your body¡¯s defense against infections. Antibodies recognise specific infections when they invade the body and they give the signal to mount a response against that infection to keep your body healthy and prevent the infective organisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) from reproducing and spreading.

Normal immunoglobulin is produced by sterilising (pasteurising) products that have been extracted from donated blood. It is virally inactivated so that the risk of being infected with viruses (such as HIV) is minimal.

Because normal immunoglobulin is extracted from the blood of healthy donors, it contains antibodies against common infections, such as hepatitis A, polio and measles (infections that the donor developed immunity to either through past infection or vaccination).

When you receive a Normal Immunoglobulin injection, your body receives antibodies which will instruct your own cells to mount an immune response against any infection the antibodies recognise. Thus, normal immunoglobulin provides protection against Hepatitis A, Polio and Measles and several other infections.

Dose advice

Normal immunoglobulin is given as an intramuscular injection (an injection into the muscle bulk of your buttock, thigh or upper arm).


The dose given will depend on your weight as well as your medical condition.

If a large dose is necessary, your doctor may need to inject two smaller doses into two different sites on your body, so as not to inject too much immunoglobulin into one muscle.

Please tell your doctor if you have a history of allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).

Hypogammaglobulinaemia:
This condition requires larger doses of Normal Immunoglobulin than some other conditions and injections need to be given twice in the first month of treatment and once a month thereafter.

Hepatitis A:
If given early enough, normal immunoglobulin can prevent you from developing hepatitis A, if you have been exposed to the virus (eg. If someone in your house has been diagnosed with hepatitis A). You may need to have repeat injections every 5 months with blood tests in between to see whether you have developed immunity to the virus.

Normal immunoglobulin can also be administered if you are planning to travel to a country where there is a high risk of contracting hepatitis A, to protect you from this disease.

Staff who work in hospitals may also be given normal immunoglobulin injections to prevent hepatitis A.


Polio and measles:
Normal immunoglobulin can be injected to prevent measles and polio in people who have not been previously immunised (vaccinated) and who have recently come into contact with these diseases.

Schedule

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Common side effects

-Tenderness and redness around the site of the injection;
-Muscle Stiffness;
-Fever and chills with sweating;
-Tiredness;
-Malaise;

Uncommon side effects

Allergy: skin changes, headache, dizziness, nausea, swelling, difficulty breathing, convulsions.

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For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 1 January, 1970


Created by: myVMC