Gammagard
Generic name:immune globulin (intravenous and subcutaneous) [ im-MYOON-GLOB-yoo-lin ]
Drug class:Immune globulins
What is Gammagard?
Gammagard is a sterilized solution made from human plasma. It contains the antibodies to help your body protect itself against infection from various diseases.
Gammagard is used to treat primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI) in adults and children two years of age or older.
Gammagard is also used as maintenance therapy to improve muscle strength and disability in adult patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN. MMN is a rare disease that causes muscle weakness that worsens over time. It affects the strength of the lower parts of arms and hands more than the legs, usually without affecting the touch sensation.
There are many forms of PI. The most common types of PI result in an inability to make a very important type of protein called antibodies, which help the body fight off infections from bacteria or viruses.
Gammagard is made from human plasma that is donated by healthy people. It contains antibodies collected from these healthy people that replace the missing antibodies in PI patients.
Warnings
Gammagard can cause blood clots. A blood clot may be more likely if you have risk factors such as heart disease, blood circulation problems, using birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, a history of blood clots, if you are 65 years or older, if you have been bed-ridden, or while having a central intravenous (IV) catheter in place.
Stop using Gammagard and call your doctor at once if you have ever had:
signs of a blood clot in the brain - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
signs of a blood clot in the heart or lung - chest pain, rapid heart rate, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or
signs of a blood clot in your leg - pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs.
Immune globulin can also harm your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney disease or if you also use certain other medicines. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.
Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a kidney problem, such as swelling, rapid weight gain, and little or no urinating.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are using Gammagard to help improve your blood flow and keep your kidneys working properly.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Gammagard if:
you have had an allergic reaction to an immune gl...
