Replacement therapy in adults, childn & adolescents (0-18 yr) in: Primary immunodeficiency syndromes w/ impaired Ab production; secondary immunodeficiencies in patients suffering from severe or recurrent infections, ineffective antimicrobial treatment & either proven specific Ab failure or serum IgG level of <4 g/L. Immunomodulation in adults, childn & adolescents (0-18 yr) in: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), in patients at high risk of bleeding or prior to surgery to correct the platelet count; Guillain Barré syndrome; Kawasaki disease (in conjunction w/ acetylsalicylic acid); chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIPD); multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).
IV Individualised dosage. Replacement therapy in primary immunodeficiency syndromes Initially 0.4-0.8 g/kg followed by 0.2-0.8 g/kg every 3-4 wk. Hypogammaglobulinaemia & recurrent bacterial infections in patients w/ chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in whom prophylactic antibiotics have failed; hypogammaglobulinaemia & recurrent bacterial infections in plateau phase multiple myeloma patients who have failed to respond to pneumococcal immunisation; congenital AIDS & recurrent bacterial infections 0.2-0.4 g/kg every 3-4 wk. Secondary immunodeficiencies 0.2-0.4 g/kg every 3-4 wk. Hypogammaglobulinaemia in patients after allogeneic HSCT 0.2-0.4 g/kg every 3-4 wk. Primary immune thrombocytopenia 0.8-1 g/kg on day 1, may be repeated once w/in 3 days; or 0.4 g/kg daily for 2-5 days. Treatment can be repeated if relapse occurs. Guillain Barré syndrome 0.4 g/kg/day over 5 days (possible repeat of dosing in case of relapse). Kawasaki disease 2 g/kg as a single dose. Patients should receive concomitant treatment w/ acetylsalicylic acid. CIDP Initially 2 g/kg divided over 2-5 consecutive days. Maintenance: 1 g/kg over 1-2 consecutive days every 3 wk. MMN Initially 2 g/kg over 2-5 consecutive days. Maintenance: 1 g/kg every 2-4 wk; or 2 g/kg every 4-8 wk.
Infusion reactions. Closely monitor & carefully observe patients for any symptoms throughout the infusion period. In case of adverse reaction, either the rate of administration must be reduced, or the infusion stopped. If dilution of Kiovig to lower conc is required for patients suffering from DM, the use of 5% glucose soln for dilution may have to be reconsidered. Ensure adequate hydration prior to initiation of the infusion of IVIg. Monitor urine output; serum creatinine levels; & for signs & symptoms of thrombosis. Assess blood viscosity in patients at risk for hyperviscosity. Avoid concomitant use of loop diuretics. Anaphylaxis can develop in patients w/ undetectable IgA who have anti-IgA Ab, & in patients who had tolerated previous treatment w/ human normal Ig. Risk of thromboembolic events; haemolytic anaemia, hemolysis; transient decrease in neutrophil count &/or episodes of neutropenia. Reports of cases of acute renal failure in patients receiving IVIg therapy; acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (transfusion related acute lung injury); aseptic meningitis syndrome. Can cause a positive direct antiglobulin reaction (Coombs' test). Transitory rise of the various passively transferred Ab in the patient's blood may result in misleading positive results in serological testing. Can lead to false positive readings in assays that depend on detection of beta-D-glucans for diagnosis of fungal infections. Possibility of transmitting infectious agents. May impair ability to drive & operate machines. Pregnancy & lactation. Ped patients may be more susceptible to vol overload.
Efficacy of live attenuated virus vaccines eg, measles, rubella, mumps & varicella may be impaired for a period of at least 6 wk & up to 3 mth. In the case of measles, impairment may persist for up to 1 yr. Avoid concomitant use of loop diuretics.
Sign Out
