CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) products provide passive
immunization for individuals exposed to the hepatitis B virus as evidenced by a reduction in the attack
rate of hepatitis B following use6-9. Clinical studies10,11 conducted prior to 1983 with hepatitis B
immune globulins similar to Nabi-HB indicate the advantage of simultaneous administration of hepatitis
B vaccine and Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises that the combination prophylaxis be
provided in certain instances of exposure based upon the increased efficacy found with that regimen in
neonates12. Cases of hepatitis B are rarely seen following exposure to HBV in persons with
preexisting anti-HBs. However, no prospective studies have been performed on the efficacy of
concurrent hepatitis B vaccine and Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) administration following
parenteral exposure, mucous membrane contact, or oral ingestion in adults. Infants born to HBsAgpositive
mothers are at risk of being infected with HBV and becoming chronic carriers13. The risk is
especially great if the mother is also HBeAg-positive14. Studies conducted with hepatitis B immune
globulins similar to Nabi-HB indicated that for an infant with perinatal exposure to an HBsAg-positive
and HBeAg-positive mother, a regimen combining one dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) at
birth with the hepatitis B vaccine series started soon after birth is 85-98percent effective in preventing
development of the HBV carrier state15-17. Regimens involving either multiple doses of Hepatitis B
Immune Globulin (Human) alone or the vaccine series alone have a 70-90percent efficacy, while a
single dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) alone has 50percent efficacy18. Since infants have
close contact with primary caregivers and they have a higher risk of becoming HBV carriers after acute
HBV infection, prophylaxis of an infant less than 12 months of age with Hepatitis B Immune Globulin
(Human) and hepatitis B vaccine is indicated if the mother or primary caregiver has acute HBV
infection19. Sexual partners of HBsAg-positive persons are at increased risk of acquiring HBV
infection. A single dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) is 75percent effective if administered
within two weeks of the last sexual exposure to a person with acute hepatitis B19.
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics trials20 of Nabi-HB, Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human), given
intramuscularly to 50 healthy volunteers demonstrated pharmacokinetic parameters similar to those
reported by Scheiermann and Kuwert21. The half-life for Nabi-HB was 23.1 5.5 days. The clearance
rate was 0.35 0.12 L/day and the volume of distribution was 11.2 3.4 L. Maximum concentration of Nabi-
HB was reached in 6.5 4.3 days. The maximum concentration of anti-HBs and the area under the timeconcentration
curve achieved by Nabi-HB were bioequivalent to that of another licensed Hepatitis B
Immune Globulin (Human) when compared in the same pharmacokinetics trial. Comparability of
pharmacokinetics between Nabi-HB and a commercially available hepatitis B immunoglobulin indicate
that similar efficacy of Nabi-HB should be inferred.
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20. Data on file, Biotest Pharmaceuticals.
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