How does it work?

Normal immunoglobulin is an extract of human (donor) blood which contains antibodies to diseases. Immunoglobulin from blood donated by a wide cross-section of population is likely to contain antibodies to most common diseases. Antibodies are produced by the immune system when the body is exposed to foreign organisms. These antibodies are specific to the infecting organism, for example the measles virus, and their first function is to help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. The antibodies formed remain in the blood and recognise and attack any future infection with the same organism. Donated blood contains antibodies to diseases to which the general population has been exposed, either through vaccination or actual infection. Normal immunoglobulin therefore contains antibodies to most common diseases. These include hepatitis A, measles, mumps, and German measles (rubella). Normal immunoglobulin is used when immediate protection from a disease is needed, for example to prevent disease in unvaccinated people who have been exposed to an infectious disease, to prevent infection following burns injuries and to reduce the number and severity of infections in people with antibody deficiency syndromes. In these syndromes (agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, dysgammaglobulinaemia) the body is unable to produce antibodies. Normal immunoglobulin does not stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies and therefore the effect is not long-lasting. It diminishes progressively over 3-4 weeks. Continued protection requires repeated injections.

What is it used for?

Preventing infection following burns injuries

Prevention of German measles following exposure in pregnancy

Prevention of Hepatitis A

Prevention of measles or reduction in measles symptoms following exposure in susceptible people

Reducing number and severity of infections in people with low levels of immunoglobulins in their blood (agammaglobulinaemia/hypogammaglobulinaemia/dysgammaglobulinaemia)

Not to be used in

Vaccination with a live vaccine (e.g. oral polio, MMR) at the same time or in the previous 3 weeks

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There is no safety information available on the use of this medicine in human pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it has been widely used for many years without ill consequence. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Fever (pyrexia)

Chills

Itching (pruritis)

Redness around injection site

Hardening of skin around injection site

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Pain and swelling at site of injection

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Normal immunoglobulin should not be given at the same time as live vaccines such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), oral polio and oral typhoid, as it may impair the efficacy of these vaccines. Vaccination with live vaccines should be postponed for three to four months after the last dose of immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulin should not be given if a live vaccine has been given within the previous two to three weeks.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Kabiglobulin

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