PATIENT INFORMATION
Vivaglobin®
Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human)
[Pronounced VEE-vah-glow-bin]
This summary contains important information you need to know about Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
for treating primary immunodeficiency (also known by its abbreviation, “PID”).
Please read it carefully before you start your treatment. This
summary is based on information given to your doctor but does not include all
available information about Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . The summary is not meant to take
the place of your doctor's instructions and should be used only after you have
received instructions from your doctor. You should discuss any questions about
treatment with Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) with your doctor.
What is Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
Vivaglobin® is a highly purified product, called an immune globulin, made
from human plasma. Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) contains the antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG),
which is found in the blood of healthy individuals to help combat germs, such
as bacteria and viruses. Because it helps the body rid itself of these bacteria
and viruses, IgG is important in helping the body fight infection.
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) also contains the following inactive ingredients: 2.25% glycine,
0.3% sodium chloride, and water for injection.
What is Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) used for?
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is a prescription medication used to treat patients with primary
immunodeficiency.
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is supplied as a sterile liquid in single-use vials and is
given by infusion subcutaneously (under the skin). Do not administer Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
into a blood vessel (vein or artery) as there is no safety information in patients
supporting this route of administration.
For treatment to be effective, you must carefully follow your doctor's instructions
regarding your dose and treatment schedule for Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) .
How does Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) work?
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) treats primary immunodeficiency, a condition in which a person's
natural defense system – or immune system – does not function properly.
Normally, our immune system helps protect us against infections by recognizing
potentially harmful bacteria and viruses that enter our body every day. In response,
the immune system produces special proteins called antibodies that fight these
foreign invaders. However, when our immune system is not working properly, it
is unable to produce these valuable antibodies, leaving us more vulnerable to
infection and illness.
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is known as antibody replacement therapy, because it replaces
the missing and much-needed IgG antibodies in people who have low levels of
this infection-fighting protein. By replacing these important antibodies, Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
helps make people with PID better able to avoid infections and fight them when
they do occur.
Who should NOT take Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
People who have a history of allergic reactions to immunoglobulins or have
a condition known as selective IgA deficiency should not use Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) .
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction due to either of
these conditions. If a serious allergic reaction occurs at any time, stop the
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) treatment and contact your doctor or an emergency medical professional
immediately.
Because clinical studies with pregnant women have not been conducted, if you
are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor whether
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is clearly needed. Please also consult your doctor about the
use of this product if you are a nursing mother.
What are possible side effects of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
In clinical studies, Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) has been shown to be safe and well tolerated
in both adults and children. As with any medication, side effects may accompany
treatment.
The frequency of side effects was based on a review of over 5,900 injections
given during the clinical trials. The most frequently reported side effect was
injection site reaction, which generally consisted of mild or moderate swelling,
redness, and itching at the site of injection. In clinical trials, these reactions
tended to decrease substantially over time. Please contact your healthcare provider
if you would like more information on managing these reactions.
Other side effects may include:
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal disorder
- Fever
- Nausea
- Sore throat
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- Rash
- Allergic reaction
- Increased cough
- Pain
- Diarrhea
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If you are concerned about these or any other side effects, please talk to
your healthcare provider.
What additional important information do I need to know about Vivaglobin®
?
Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human) Vivaglobin® is made from the plasma
portion of human blood. All plasma used to produce Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is collected
in a manner that meets or exceeds U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements.
For your safety, we maintain stringent controls over plasma collection and processing
every step of the way. Because Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is made from plasma, as are all
immune globulins, the risk of transmitting infectious agents, including viruses,
and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely
eliminated. However, the risk that Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) will transmit diseases is
reduced by carefully screening plasma donors for prior exposure to certain viruses
and by testing plasma for evidence of potentially harmful viruses. Only plasma
that passed virus-screening is used for production of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) .
During the manufacture of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) , specific viral clearance methods
further decrease the chance of disease transmission. The main virus reduction
step of the Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) manufacturing process is a pasteurization technique,
which involves heating the product at 140°F (60°C) for 10 hours. Additional
purification procedures used in the manufacture of Vivaglobin (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ® further reduce
the risk of disease. As with all products manufactured from human plasma, however,
the risk of transmitting infectious agents cannot completely be eliminated.
However, during clinical trials, no cases of infection due to hepatitis A, B,
or C virus, parvovirus B19, or HIV were reported with the use of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) .
If you believe that you have contracted an infection that was possibly transmitted
by Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) , you should report this to your doctor or healthcare provider.
What medications should I avoid while taking Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) can impair the efficacy of certain virus vaccines, such as
measles, mumps and rubella (also known by its abbreviation “MMR”).
Inform the immunizing physician of recent treatment with Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) so
appropriate precautions can be taken.
Other products must not be mixed with the Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) solution.
How do I store Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is supplied in single-use vials. It contains no preservatives,
so any unused portion should be discarded immediately after use. When stored
in the refrigerator at 36°to 46°F (2° to 8°C) Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
can be used until the expiration date on its label. Do not use after the expiration
date. Do not freeze Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Keep the vial in its box during
storage. Keep Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) and all other medications out of the reach of
children.
How do I use Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) ?
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) is infused subcutaneously (under the skin). Do not administer
it into a blood vessel (vein or artery).
Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for your treatment.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will teach you the proper techniques for
administering Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Only after such instruction should you follow
the instructions below.
Preparing for your treatment
The following areas are recommended for subcutaneous infusion of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
:
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Upper arms
- Hip
For proper selection of infusion site, please consult your doctor or healthcare
provider.
Instructions for administration
The following instructions are intended only as a guide. Before administering
Vivaglobin® Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human) you should be under the
care of a doctor and should have received proper training on proper preparation
and administration from a licensed healthcare provider.
1. Prior to use, allow the vial(s) of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) to reach room temperature,
68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C). On a clean, flat surface, such as
a table, assemble all the supplies you will need for your treatment, including
Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) vials, treatment diary/logbook, an infusion pump, administration
tubing, subcutaneous needle or catheter, Y-site connection tubing (if needed),
alcohol wipes, antiseptic skin preps, syringe(s), needle(s), gauze or transparent
Fig. 1 dressing, tape and a sharps disposal container. Your healthcare provider
can help you to identify a complete list of supplies. Discuss with your healthcare
provider whether you should use gloves when preparing Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) for infusion.
(Fig.1)
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2. There are several different types of ambulatory infusion pumps that may
be used to administer Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Your healthcare provider will help you
to determine which type of pump is appropriate for you. Follow the pump manufacturer's
instructions for preparing the infusion pump and priming the administration
tubing. Set the rate of infusion on the pump as instructed by your healthcare
provider.
3. Before preparing Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) for infusion, thoroughly wash and dry your
hands. (Fig.2)
4. Before each infusion, be sure to visually inspect each vial of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
for discoloration and for particles in the solution by gently swirling each
vial (do not shake the vial). Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) should be a clear solution
that can vary from colorless to light brown. If the solution in a vial is cloudy
or contains particles, or if the protective cap is missing, do not use it.Check
the expiration date on each vial of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Do not use beyond the expiration
date. (Fig.3)
5. Remove the protective cap from each vial of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Next, cleanse
the top of each vial stopper with an alcohol wipe, and allow the top of the
vial to dry. (Figs.4 and 5)
6. Using aseptic technique as instructed by your healthcare provider, attach
a needleto the syringe tip. (Fig.6)
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7. Pulling back on the syringe plunger, draw back a volume of air into the
syringe that is equal to the volume of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) that will be withdrawn.
With the Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) vial placed on a flat surface, insert the needle into
the center of the vial stopper. Then inject the air into the vial. Next, leaving
the syringe and needle in the vial, carefully invert the vial as shown in the
illustration. Withdraw the Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) solution into the syringe and remove
the filled syringe from the vial. Remove the needle from the syringe filled
with Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) and discard the needle into a sharps disposal container.
Repeat this step if multiple vials are required to achieve the prescribed dose
of Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . (Fig.7)
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8. Follow manufacturer's instructions for filling the infusion pump reservoir
and priming the administration tubing and needle/catheter.“Priming”
the administration tubing refers to the removal of the air from the tubing and
needle/catheter that will be used to infuse Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . Priming may also
be done by connecting the syringe filled with Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) to the administration
tubing and gently pushing on the syringe plunger to fill the tubing with Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human))
until a drop is seen exiting the needle/catheter. (Fig.8)
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9. Select an appropriate infusion site(s), depending on the amount required
for your total Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human) Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) dose and
the instructions of your healthcare provider. Cleanse the site(s) with antiseptic
skin prep(s) beginning in the center of the site and working outward in a circular
motion. Allow site(s) to dry before proceeding to the next step. If your healthcare
provider recommends that you administer Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) using multiple sites,
ensure that each site is at least two inches apart. (The maximum recommended
infusion volume per infusion site is 15 mL). (Fig.9)
10. Using two fingers, grasp the skin around the infusion site. As instructed
by your healthcare provider, insert the needle directly into the subcutaneous
tissue and not into a blood vessel. (Fig.10)
11. After each needle is inserted into the tissue, you must test to make sure
that a blood vessel has not been accidentally entered. This must be done prior
to starting your infusion. To do this attach a sterile syringe to the end of
the primed administration tubing, and gently pull back on the syringe plunger.
Look to see if any blood is flowing back into the administration tubing. If
you see any blood, remove and discard the needle and administration tubing.
Then, repeat steps 8–11 using a new needle, administration tubing and a new
infusion site. (Fig. 11)
12. Secure the needle by applying sterile gauze or transparent dressing over
the site and tape in place. (Fig.12)
13. Secure the administration tubing to the infusion pump following the manufacturer's
instructions and turn on the pump. (Fig.13)
14. Once the infusion is complete, turn off the infusion pump. Remove the needle(s)
from the infusion site(s) and discard any unused solution and administration
equipment in accordance with biohazard procedures as recommended by your healthcare
provider. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding care of the infusion
pump after each use. (Fig.14)
15. On each Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) vial, you will find a peel-off label with the product
lot number and expiration date. Record the time, date, and exact dose of your
infusion, then remove the labels and affix them to your treatment diary/logbook.Take
this record of your treatment with you whenever you visit your physician. (Fig.
15)
These instructions are intended to serve as a guide for people who have already
been instructed by a healthcare professional on the proper method of preparing
and administering Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) . If you have not received such training, please
consult your healthcare provider before attempting to administer Vivaglobin® (immune globulin subcutaneous (human)) .
If you experience any problems or need more information regarding your subcutaneous
treatment, contact your healthcare provider.