Immune globulin for intramuscular administration (IGIM) is a sterilized solution obtained from
pooled human blood. It contains the immunoglobulins (or antibodies) to protect against infectious agents
that cause various diseases. Antibodies are substances in the blood that fight infections.
IGIM is used to prevent or reduce the severity of infection by hepatitis A, measles, chickenpox
(varicella), and rubella. IGIM is also used to prevent or reduce the severity of other infections in
individuals with immunoglobulin deficiencies.
IGIM may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Do not use IGIM without first talking to your doctor if you have
IgA deficiency;
previously had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin
product;
a low level of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia); or
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
You may not be able to use IGIM, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment.
IGIM is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will
be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use IGIM without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether IGIM passes into breast milk. Do not use IGIM without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
IGIM will be administered as an intramuscular (into a muscle) injection by a healthcare provider
in a hospital or clinic setting.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment
with IGIM to monitor progress and side effects.
Your healthcare provider will store IGIM as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing
IGIM at home, your healthcare provider will give you storage instructions.
What happens if I miss a dose of immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Contact your healthcare provider if a dose of IGIM is missed.
Where can I get more information about immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Your pharmacist has information about immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
IGIM is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain infectious agents (e.g.,
viruses) that can cause disease. Although IGIM is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the possibility
that it carries an infectious agent, it can still potentially transmit disease. Discuss with your doctor the
risks and benefits of using IGIM.
Notify your doctor immediately if you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction
(difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to IGIM.
Other less serious side effects may also occur. Upon injection of the medication, some patients
experience pain, tenderness, or irritation at the injection site.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
IGIM is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain infectious agents (e.g.,
viruses) that can cause disease. Although IGIM is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the possibility
that it carries an infectious agent, it can still potentially transmit disease. Discuss with your doctor the
risks and benefits of using IGIM.
What should I avoid while taking immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Do not receive vaccines that use live strains of the virus (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella
or MMR) during and for three months following treatment with IGIM. These vaccines may not work
properly when IGIM has been recently administered.
What other drugs will affect immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Do not receive vaccines that use live strains of the virus (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella
or MMR) during and for three months following treatment with IGIM. These vaccines may not work
properly when IGIM has been recently administered.
It is not known whether other medications will interact with IGIM. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products
during treatment with IGIM.
What happens if I have an overdose of immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009