Gammagard

Immune Globulin Injection (Subcutaneous or IV)

(i MYUN GLOB yoo lin)

Gammagard, Gammaked, Gamunex-C

The chance of blood clots may be raised with this drug. The chance may be higher in older people, if you have to be in a bed or chair for a long time, if you take estrogen products, or if you have certain catheters. Some health problems like thick blood, heart problems, or a history of blood clots raise the chance of having blood clots. Blood clots can happen if you do not have any of these health problems. Call your doctor right away if you have numbness or weakness on 1 side of your body; pain, redness, tenderness, warmth, or swelling in the arms or legs; change in color of an arm or leg; chest pain or pressure; shortness of breath; fast heartbeat; or coughing up blood. Talk with your doctor. Kidney problems have happened with human immune globulin. Sometimes, these problems have been deadly. Kidney problems are more common in people using products that have sucrose. Most immune globulin products do not have sucrose. The chance of these problems may be raised if you have kidney problems, high blood sugar (diabetes), fluid loss (dehydration) or low blood volume, a blood infection, or proteins in the blood that are not normal. The chance may be raised if you are 65 or older, or if you take other drugs that may harm the kidneys. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this information or about if your product has sucrose. You will need to be sure that you are not dehydrated before getting this drug. Check with your doctor to see if you need to drink extra fluids before getting this drug.

It is used to stop or lower the harshness of other infections in people with a weak immune system. It is used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). It is used treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). It is used to treat multifocal muscle neuropathy. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

All products: If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you have IgA deficiency. If you have too much proline in your blood (hyperprolinemia). If you have too much fluid in the body or have been told to watch how much fluid you drink. Injection (subcutaneous): If you have low platelet levels. Injection (I.V.): If you are not able to break down fructose, talk with the doctor. Some of these products have sorbitol. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. If you have a latex allergy, talk with your doctor. Some products have latex. Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this drug may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor. This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug. This drug is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may have viruses that may cause disease. This drug is screened, tested, and treated to lower the chance that it carries an infection. Talk with the doctor. If you are on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, talk with your doctor. Some of these products have sodium. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor about which glucose tests are best to use. Some patients who have immune globulin therapy for the first time or who have not had it within the past 8 weeks may have a risk for certain side effects. These may be fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. This may also happen in people who switch brands of immune globulin. Tell the doctor right away if any of these side effects occur. Dehydration and low sodium levels have happened when this drug has been given into a vein. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance. If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain. Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight. Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak. Change in color of skin to a bluish color like on the lips, nail beds, fingers, or toes. Seizures. Bloating. Feeling confused. Swelling. A heartbeat that does not feel normal. Mood changes. Muscle or joint pain. Change in speech. Change in eyesight. Shakiness. Sweating a lot. Very bad belly pain. Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes. Lung problems have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have lung or breathing problems like trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or a cough that is new or worse. This drug may raise the chance of a very bad brain problem called aseptic meningitis. Call your doctor right away if you have a headache, fever, chills, very upset stomach or throwing up, stiff neck, rash, bright lights bother your eyes, feeling sleepy, or feeling confused.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Irritation where this drug is given. Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak. Headache. Upset stomach or throwing up. Stomach pain or diarrhea. Back pain. Signs of a common cold. Flushing. Cramps. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. Injection (subcutaneous): It is given as an infusion under the skin over a period of time. If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot. Do not shake the solution. Wash your hands before and after use. If stored in a refrigerator, let this drug come to room temperature before using it. Do not heat this drug. Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles. Do not use if solution changes color. Do not use if it has been frozen. Do not mix with any other liquid drugs. Do not give into skin that is irritated, bruised, red, infected, or scarred. Move the site where you give this drug as you were told by the doctor. Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Injection (I.V.): It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

Call your doctor to find out what to do.

Injection (subcutaneous): Follow how to store closely. Read the package insert that comes with this drug. If you have questions about how to store this drug, talk with your pharmacist. Store in the original container to protect from light. Do not freeze. Injection (I.V.): If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it. All products: Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.