human hepatitis b immunoglobulin at a glance
Medicine class
Hepatitis B-specific human immunoglobulin providing passive immunity.
Main roles
Selected post-exposure prevention and prevention of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation.
Administration
Given by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, depending on the product and indication.
Not a vaccine
It supplies ready-made antibodies; hepatitis B vaccination may also be needed for longer-term active immunity.
What is human hepatitis b immunoglobulin used for?
Products differ in their licensed roles and routes.
Hepatect CP: prevention of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related liver failure.
Hepatect CP: prevention after accidental exposure in people who are not immunised, incompletely immunised or of unknown vaccination status.
Hepatect CP: temporary protection for haemodialysis patients while vaccination becomes effective.
Hepatect CP: prevention in newborn babies of mothers who carry hepatitis B virus.
Hepatect CP: continuing prevention in vaccine non-responders who remain at ongoing risk.
Zutectra: prevention of recurrence in selected HBsAg-negative and HBV-DNA-negative adults following liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related liver failure; antiviral therapy is normally considered alongside it.
How does human hepatitis b immunoglobulin work?
Concentrated IgG antibodies bind hepatitis B surface antigen. These ready-made antibodies can neutralise virus and assist its clearance, providing immediate passive protection without waiting for an immune response to vaccination.
human hepatitis b immunoglobulin preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 units
How to take human hepatitis b immunoglobulin
The route depends on the product and clinical purpose. Food does not affect administration because treatment is injected.
Hepatect CP is infused into a vein by a healthcare professional, with observation during and after administration.
Zutectra is injected under the skin. Home administration is appropriate only after specialist training and when the clinical team considers treatment stable.
Bring the product to the recommended room or body temperature before use; do not heat it.
Do not use a cloudy solution or one containing deposits or particles. Do not mix it with other medicines.
For home injections, follow the taught technique, rotate suitable injection sites, use a sharps container and record the batch number.
Zutectra must never be injected into a blood vessel.
human hepatitis b immunoglobulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness, bruising or hives at a subcutaneous injection site
- Headache
- Upper abdominal discomfort
- Infusion-related nausea, dizziness, fever, chills or malaise may occur; frequency with Hepatect CP is unknown
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis
- Blood clots causing heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis, reported very rarely with intravenous immunoglobulins
- Acute kidney impairment or markedly reduced urine output
- Severe breathlessness from transfusion-related acute lung injury during or shortly after intravenous infusion
- Severe headache with neck stiffness or light sensitivity, which may indicate aseptic meningitis
- Symptoms of haemolysis or anaemia, including unusual breathlessness, pallor, dark urine or jaundice
human hepatitis b immunoglobulin in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy studies are unavailable, so use requires individual specialist assessment. Experience with immunoglobulins has not suggested harm to pregnancy, the fetus or newborn; intravenous IgG crosses the placenta increasingly later in pregnancy.
human hepatitis b immunoglobulin while breastfeeding
Discuss treatment with the specialist or prescriber. Immunoglobulins enter breast milk, but adverse effects in breastfed infants are not anticipated with the intravenous product; controlled evidence for the subcutaneous product is limited.
human hepatitis b immunoglobulin interactions
Tell the clinical team about recent or planned vaccinations and all other medicines.
Live attenuated vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
Transferred antibodies may reduce the vaccine response, so vaccination timing or later revaccination may need specialist adjustment. Interference with measles vaccination can persist longer.
Loop diuretics
Concomitant use should be avoided with intravenous Hepatect CP because of concerns including renal complications.
Common questions about human hepatitis b immunoglobulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it the same as hepatitis B vaccine?
No. It provides ready-made antibodies for immediate passive protection, whereas vaccination stimulates a longer-lasting immune response. They may be used together at different injection sites.
Does it treat chronic hepatitis B?
No. Its role is prevention in defined circumstances, not treatment of established chronic infection.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.