human normal immunoglobulin at a glance
Medicine class
Human plasma-derived immunoglobulin containing a broad range of IgG antibodies.
Main roles
Antibody replacement and, for selected products, immune modulation.
Administration
Given into a vein or under the skin, depending on the product and indication; trained patients may use some subcutaneous products at home.
What is human normal immunoglobulin used for?
Licensing differs between products and routes. Selected UK products cover:
Replacement of deficient antibodies in primary immunodeficiency.
Replacement therapy in defined secondary immunodeficiencies associated with severe or recurrent infection and inadequate antibody protection.
Intravenous immune modulation for primary immune thrombocytopenia, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Kawasaki disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy.
Gamunex is additionally licensed for measles exposure prophylaxis in specified susceptible people and severe acute exacerbations of myasthenia gravis in adults.
Hizentra is licensed as subcutaneous maintenance therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy after stabilisation with intravenous immunoglobulin.
How does human normal immunoglobulin work?
The infused IgG provides antibodies able to recognise many infectious organisms, helping restore protection when the body makes too little effective antibody. It can also alter antibody, complement and immune-cell signalling, reducing inappropriate immune injury; the contribution of each pathway varies by condition.
human normal immunoglobulin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 100 mg/mL, 10 g, 5% w/v, 10%
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 165 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL
How to take human normal immunoglobulin
Administration must follow the instructions and training for the prescribed product.
Intravenous products are infused into a vein with observation for reactions; slowing or stopping the infusion may be required if symptoms occur.
Subcutaneous products are infused into fatty tissue and must never be injected into a blood vessel. Home treatment requires specialist training and an agreed reaction plan.
Check the solution before use and do not use it if cloudy, unusually discoloured or containing deposits.
Storage, warming to room temperature, equipment and usable infusion sites vary by brand; follow its package leaflet and specialist instructions.
Food does not materially affect administration because these products are injected rather than swallowed.
human normal immunoglobulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache, chills, fever, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
- Muscle, joint or back pain and tiredness.
- Flushing, rash or itching.
- Pain, swelling, redness, warmth, bruising or itching at a subcutaneous infusion site.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or sudden fall in blood pressure.
- Blood clot causing stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis.
- Haemolysis or haemolytic anaemia, which may cause pallor, weakness, jaundice or dark urine.
- Kidney injury, including reduced urine output.
- Aseptic meningitis with severe headache, neck stiffness, fever, nausea or light sensitivity.
- Acute breathing difficulty, including transfusion-related acute lung injury.
human normal immunoglobulin in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy data are limited, but clinical experience with immunoglobulins has not suggested harm to pregnancy or the baby. Immunoglobulin crosses the placenta, particularly later in pregnancy. Treatment should be reviewed by the specialist and maternity teams rather than stopped or changed without advice.
human normal immunoglobulin while breastfeeding
Immunoglobulins pass into breast milk, where they may provide protective antibodies. Available clinical experience does not suggest harmful effects in breastfed infants, although treatment and the specific product should be reviewed with the specialist team.
human normal immunoglobulin interactions
Tell the immunoglobulin team about medicines, vaccines and planned laboratory tests.
Live attenuated vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines
Transferred antibodies can reduce vaccine response, so vaccination timing must be checked with the immunisation or specialist team.
Loop diuretics
Selected intravenous product information advises avoiding concurrent use because of renal-safety concerns.
Common questions about human normal immunoglobulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is human normal immunoglobulin made from?
It is purified mainly from immunoglobulin G antibodies collected from pooled plasma donated by many screened human donors.
Can it be given at home?
Some subcutaneous products can be self-administered at home after specialist assessment, practical training and provision of an emergency plan. Intravenous home treatment is available only through selected specialist services.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.