human anti-d immunoglobulin at a glance
Medicine class
Human immunoglobulin providing passive anti-D antibodies.
Usual role
Prevents RhD sensitisation in pregnancy and after exposure to RhD-positive red blood cells.
Administration
Given by a healthcare professional as an injection. The permitted route depends on the product.
Blood product
Made from screened human plasma using processes intended to reduce infection risk, although transmission cannot be completely excluded.
What is human anti-d immunoglobulin used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Preventing RhD sensitisation during pregnancy in an RhD-negative person.
Preventing sensitisation after pregnancy complications or procedures that may allow fetal blood into the maternal circulation, including bleeding, pregnancy loss, abdominal trauma and invasive procedures.
Preventing sensitisation after delivery when the baby is RhD positive.
Managing an RhD-negative person after an incompatible transfusion of RhD-positive blood or another red-cell-containing blood product.
How does human anti-d immunoglobulin work?
The supplied IgG antibodies recognise RhD-positive red blood cells and help remove them before a lasting immune response develops. This reduces the chance of making anti-D antibodies that could damage an RhD-positive baby's red blood cells in a later pregnancy. The precise mechanism is not fully understood.
human anti-d immunoglobulin preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 50 micrograms/mL, 250 micrograms/mL
How to take human anti-d immunoglobulin
It is administered by trained healthcare staff. D-Gam is injected into a muscle; Rhophylac may be injected into a muscle or vein. Tell staff about previous immunoglobulin reactions, IgA deficiency, bleeding disorders and recent or planned vaccinations.
No food restrictions are described in the selected product information.
Remain available for observation as directed by the clinical team.
Report pregnancy bleeding, abdominal injury or relevant procedures promptly to the maternity team.
human anti-d immunoglobulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, soreness, redness, swelling, warmth, itching, bruising or rash.
- Headache, dizziness, fever, chills or feeling unwell.
- Nausea, vomiting, joint pain or back pain.
- Mild skin reactions such as redness, itching or rash.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including wheezing, chest tightness, facial or throat swelling, marked dizziness, low blood pressure or collapse.
- Possible blood-clot symptoms such as chest pain, sudden breathlessness, painful limb swelling or sudden focal neurological symptoms.
- Haemolysis after treatment for an incompatible transfusion, requiring clinical and laboratory monitoring.
human anti-d immunoglobulin in pregnancy
Human anti-D immunoglobulin is intended for use during pregnancy when an RhD-negative person may be exposed to RhD-positive fetal blood. It prevents sensitisation but does not reverse established anti-D immunisation, so the maternity team must review blood-group and antibody results.
human anti-d immunoglobulin while breastfeeding
The selected products can be used while breastfeeding. Immunoglobulins can pass into breast milk, and Rhophylac information reports no product-related adverse effects in infants studied after postpartum administration.
human anti-d immunoglobulin interactions
Tell the healthcare team about recent vaccinations and planned blood tests.
Live attenuated viral vaccines, including MMR and varicella vaccines
Anti-D immunoglobulin may reduce the vaccine response, so the vaccination team may need to adjust timing or confirm protection.
Inactivated pregnancy vaccines
Injected influenza, pertussis-containing and RSV vaccines can be administered alongside anti-D immunoglobulin when otherwise indicated.
Serological and red-cell antibody tests
Common questions about human anti-d immunoglobulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is human anti-D immunoglobulin given during pregnancy?
It helps prevent an RhD-negative person forming lasting antibodies after exposure to an RhD-positive baby's red blood cells. Those antibodies could otherwise affect a later RhD-positive pregnancy.
Does it protect the current baby or future pregnancies?
Its main purpose is to prevent sensitisation, protecting future RhD-positive pregnancies. It does not treat established fetal or newborn haemolytic disease.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.