Therapeutic Play Kit
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GAMMAGARD Therapy
Find detailedNurses Guide to IVIG1
Antibody replacement therapy, the use of IgG concentrates administered intravenously, is an important therapeutic option for patients who are unable to produce adequate amounts of antibodies. The IgG product, prepared from large pools of human plasma to assure a broad spectrum of antibodies, is known as immunoglobulin, gammaglobulin, or immune serum globulin. The intravenous preparations are known as IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) or immunoglobulin intravenous (IGIV).
IVIG is indicated for treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIs) in which patients lack adequate amounts of specific antibodies, such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), hyper IgM syndromes, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID).
As a replacement therapy, IVIG does not stimulate new production of antibodies, so it must be readministered at regular intervals to maintain protective levels. Most PI patients using IVIG for regular antibody replacement therapy receive infusions every 3-4 weeks.
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Learn more about IVIG:
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History
- Good RA. Historic Aspects of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy. Cancer. 1991 Sep 15;68(6 Suppl):1415-21 (View Abstract)
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Intravenous Immunoglobulin: Prevention and Treatment of Disease
- National Institutes of Health (View Consensus Statement)
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Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacology and Clinical Uses
- Schiff RI. Intravenous Gammaglobulin: Pharmacology, Clinical Uses and Mechanisms of Action. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 1994 May;5(2):63-87 (View Citation)
- Schiff RI. Intravenous Gammaglobulin, 2: Pharmacology, Clinical Uses and Mechanisms of Action. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 1994 May;5(2):127-156 (View Citation)
- Simon HU. IVIG-Mechanism of Action. Allergy. 2003 Jul;58(7):543-52 (View Abstract)
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Risks Associated with the Use of IVIG
- Pierce RL. Risks Associated With the Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin. Transfusion Medicine Review. 2003 Oct;17(4):241-51 (View Abstract)
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These links provide a list of web sites about immune diseases that may be of interest to healthcare professionals. Baxter Healthcare Corporation does not possess editorial control over the content or the information on those other sites. As such, Baxter Healthcare Corporation and the compiler of the list make no representation as to the accuracy, completeness and any other aspect of the information contained in those sites.
Study abstracts have been provided to assist you in selecting literature that may be of interest in your practice. As a professional courtesy, we will be happy to provide full text articles upon request. Please feel free to contact our Medical Information-Professional Services department toll-free at 1-866-4BIOSCI (424-6724).
- Blaese RM, Winkelstein J. Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. Towson, MD: Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2007, p.93-95.
