Immunoglobulin therapy

Immunoglobulin is made from blood donations. Several thousand blood donations are pooled in the process. For these reasons there is always a possibility of catching an infection from one of the blood donors. No one has ever caught HIV or hepatitis B from immunoglobulin therapy. In the 1990s, a small number of people caught hepatitis

Most people do not have reactions to immunoglobulins. This is why it is safe to go on to home therapy. The reactions that do sometimes happen include rashes, temperature, shivering or itching. You can also get a headache with immunoglobulin, although this tends to happen the next day. When reactions do happen, there is usually

Your immunologist will only recommend starting immunoglobulin if you have had tests which confirm it is the right treatment for you. In cases of severe immune deficiency, only a couple of blood tests are required before the doctor will recommend immunoglobulin. Fortunately, most people have mild immune deficiency and in this situation the doctor might

Immune deficient patients are at a greater risk of infection than others. Clinical trials have shown that for people with immune deficiency, immunoglobulin treatments result in fewer infections, and those infections that do occur tend to be less serious. There is also evidence that people with immune deficiency are more likely to enjoy good health

Immunoglobulin is made from donated blood plasma. During manufacture everything except a type of immunoglobulin called IgG is removed from the plasma. IgG is very good at fighting bacteria and viruses. IgG has other effects too, so it isn’t just used for people with immune deficiency. You might hear about immunoglobulin being used in some

Your immunology team will give you the information to help you decide which treatment you will have. You might want to consider the following factors: If you have really ‘bad’ veins, then IVIG is not be your best option If you want to take ownership of your illness, then SCIG may be the best choice

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been in use since the 1970s and involves giving immunoglobulin straight into the circulation system by a needle in a vein. Quite large amounts of immunoglobulin can be given this way and for this reason, treatment is only needed every three weeks or so, with each treatment lasting between two and

Immunoglobulin (IG) replacement therapy is a blood-based treatment. The immunoglobulin contains antibodies which will help fight infection. You have been recommended this treatment because your doctors have found that your immune system (or your child’s immune system) is not making antibodies. Immunoglobulin can be given intravenously or subcutaneously.

No you don’t have to go hospital if you don’t want to. You can be trained to do it at home by your nursing team. This may seem daunting at first but lots of people do it this way and find it very convenient. 

Yes – they may be related to the dose and route (e.g. very high doses intravenously can cause renal impairment), also some batches do not suit some people and a variety of side effects can occur (headaches, joint pain, local swelling and itching for subcut) which should be explained by the team before starting.