CIDP ... Rocky's blog

I copied this from Jenna's Lyme Blog ... some interesting info re the newest and most effective of the IVIg infusion agents. I need to keep this on hand ...

Gamunex is contraindicated in individuals with known anaphylactic or severe systemic response to Immune Globulin (Human). Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) products have been reported to be associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis and death.

Patients should be instructed to immediately report symptoms of decreased urine output, sudden weight gain, fluid retention/edema, and/or shortness of breath (which may suggest kidney damage) to their physicians. While these reports of renal dysfunction and acute renal failure have been associated with the use of many of the licensed IGIV products, those containing sucrose as a stabilizer accounted for a disproportionate share of the total number does not contain sucrose.

Glycine, a natural amino acid, is used as a stabilizer.

There have been reports of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, rare reports of hemolytic anemia, and very rare reports of aseptic meningitis in patients administered with IGIV. Thrombotic events have been reported in association with IGIV. Patients at risk may include those with a history of atherosclerosis, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, advanced age, impaired cardiac output, and/or known or suspected hyperviscosity. The most common side effects noted during clinical trials included headache, vomiting, fever, nausea, rash, and back pain. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

As with all plasma-derived therapeutics, the potential to transmit infectious agents cannot be totally eliminated.