immunoglobulin at a glance
Medicine class
Rabies-specific human immunoglobulin providing passive immunity.
Usual role
Post-exposure prevention after selected bites, scratches or saliva exposure involving a potentially rabid animal.
Administration
Given by a healthcare professional, mainly into and around the cleaned wound. Rabies vaccine is given at a different anatomical site.
What is immunoglobulin used for?
Licensed for rabies prevention after exposure in adults and children, following urgent specialist risk assessment.
Bites, scratches or other skin injuries involving a potentially rabid animal.
Potentially infectious material, such as saliva, contaminating damaged skin or a mucous membrane.
Used with rabies vaccine when indicated; it does not replace vaccination.
How does immunoglobulin work?
Ready-made IgG antibodies bind and neutralise rabies virus at the exposure site, providing temporary protection before the person develops their own response to vaccination.
How to take immunoglobulin
A trained healthcare professional administers it after thoroughly cleaning the wound. It is placed into and around the wound where possible, with any appropriate remainder given according to specialist instructions. Rabies vaccine must be given at a separate site.
Tell the clinician about previous rabies vaccination, immunosuppression, bleeding disorders, IgA deficiency, allergies or previous immunoglobulin reactions.
Mention recent or planned vaccinations and any blood-clot risk factors.
It is not taken by mouth or self-injected.
immunoglobulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- No adverse reactions are listed as common. Reported rare effects include injection-site pain, swelling, warmth or redness; headache; nausea or vomiting; fever, chills or malaise; rash or itching; and joint pain.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.
- Marked fall in blood pressure or collapse.
- Possible blood-clot symptoms, including sudden breathlessness, chest pain, neurological symptoms or painful limb swelling.
immunoglobulin in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy studies are unavailable, although clinical experience with immunoglobulins does not suggest harm to the pregnancy or baby. Pregnancy should not delay urgent assessment or indicated rabies post-exposure prevention.
immunoglobulin while breastfeeding
Immunoglobulins pass into breast milk and may contribute protective antibodies. Breastfeeding is not considered a reason to withhold indicated rabies post-exposure prevention; tell the treating team that you are breastfeeding.
immunoglobulin interactions
The main interactions concern vaccination and interpretation of blood tests.
Live attenuated vaccines, including MMR and varicella vaccines
Transferred antibodies can reduce the immune response, so a clinician must review vaccination history and future vaccine timing.
Rabies vaccine
Normally required alongside immunoglobulin, but the two must not be mixed in the same syringe or given at the same anatomical site.
Serological blood tests
Transferred antibodies can cause misleading positive results, including some red-cell antibody tests. Inform the laboratory about recent treatment.
Common questions about immunoglobulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is rabies immunoglobulin the same as rabies vaccine?
No. Immunoglobulin supplies ready-made, short-term antibodies; the vaccine stimulates the body to produce its own immune response.
Do I need it after every animal bite?
No. The need depends on the animal, country, exposure type, vaccination history and immune status, assessed using current UK guidance.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.