human immunoglobulin at a glance
Medicine class
Human normal immunoglobulin; a plasma-derived antibody preparation.
Main roles
Antibody replacement and immunomodulation.
Administration
Intravenous infusion by a trained healthcare professional.
Infusion reactions
The infusion may need slowing or stopping if a reaction develops.
What is human immunoglobulin used for?
The selected intravenous product is licensed in adults and children for:
Primary immunodeficiency with impaired antibody production.
Defined secondary immunodeficiency with severe or recurrent infections and inadequate antibody function.
Primary immune thrombocytopenia when bleeding risk is high or before surgery.
Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Kawasaki disease.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
Multifocal motor neuropathy.
How does human immunoglobulin work?
It supplies a broad range of IgG antibodies found in healthy human plasma. These replace missing immune protection in antibody deficiency. In inflammatory disorders, immunoglobulin alters immune signalling through mechanisms that are not fully understood.
human immunoglobulin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 100 mg/mL
How to take human immunoglobulin
A doctor or nurse infuses this product into a vein while monitoring for reactions. Slowing or stopping the infusion can help manage infusion-related symptoms.
Tell the team if you are unwell, have an active infection or previously reacted to immunoglobulin.
Tell them about kidney disease, clotting risks and all medicines you take.
Do not drive or use machinery if dizziness, nausea or another reaction affects you.
The solution is checked for cloudiness, deposits or discolouration before use.
human immunoglobulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Rash or itching
- Fever, chills, tiredness or flu-like symptoms
- Dizziness or flushing
- Back, joint or muscle pain
- Raised blood pressure
- Infusion-site pain, swelling or irritation
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or a sudden fall in blood pressure
- Blood clot, including heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis
- Acute kidney injury
- Severe breathing difficulty or transfusion-related acute lung injury
- Aseptic meningitis, with symptoms such as severe headache, neck stiffness, fever or light sensitivity
- Haemolysis or haemolytic anaemia, which may cause weakness, breathlessness, jaundice or dark urine
human immunoglobulin in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy studies are unavailable. The selected product should be used cautiously following specialist assessment. Clinical experience has not indicated expected harm to the pregnancy, fetus or newborn.
human immunoglobulin while breastfeeding
Immunoglobulins enter breast milk and may contribute to the infant’s mucosal protection. Harm is not anticipated, but tell the prescriber if you are breastfeeding.
human immunoglobulin interactions
Tell the treating team about medicines, vaccines and planned blood tests.
Live attenuated viral vaccines
Immunoglobulin can reduce responses to vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. Vaccination timing may need adjustment, and measles antibody testing may sometimes be required.
Loop diuretics
Concomitant use should be avoided because it may add to fluid or kidney-related risk.
Common questions about human immunoglobulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is human immunoglobulin made from blood?
Yes. It is produced from pooled donated human plasma. Donor screening and manufacturing steps reduce infection risk, but transmission of an unknown infectious agent cannot be completely excluded.
Can it cause an allergic reaction after previous safe infusions?
Yes. Serious hypersensitivity is rare but can occur even after earlier infusions were tolerated.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.