immune globulin (intramuscular) (IGIM)

Pronunciation:	ih MUNE GLAW byoo lin
Brand:	Baygam, Biogam

What is the most important information I should know about IGIM?

IGIM is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain infectious agents (e.g., viruses) that can cause disease. Although IGIM is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the possibility that it carries an infectious agent, it can still potentially transmit disease. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using IGIM.

What is IGIM?

Immune globulin for intramuscular administration (IGIM) is a sterilized solution obtained from pooled human blood. It contains the immunoglobulins (or antibodies) to protect against infectious agents that cause various diseases. Antibodies are substances in the blood that fight infections.

IGIM is used to prevent or reduce the severity of infection by hepatitis A, measles, chickenpox (varicella), and rubella. IGIM is also used to prevent or reduce the severity of other infections in individuals with immunoglobulin deficiencies.

IGIM may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using IGIM?

Do not use IGIM without first talking to your doctor if you have

IgA deficiency;
previously had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin product;
a low level of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia); or
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.

You may not be able to use IGIM, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

IGIM is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use IGIM without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether IGIM passes into breast milk. Do not use IGIM without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use IGIM?

IGIM will be administered as an intramuscular (into a muscle) injection by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment with IGIM to monitor progress and side effects.

Your healthcare provider will store IGIM as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing IGIM at home, your healthcare provider will give you storage instructions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your healthcare provider if a dose of IGIM is missed.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider if an overdose of IGIM is suspected.

No information is available regarding symptoms of an overdose of IGIM.

What should I avoid while taking IGIM?

Do not receive vaccines that use live strains of the virus (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR) during and for three months following treatment with IGIM. These vaccines may not work properly when IGIM has been recently administered.

What are the possible side effects of IGIM?

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to IGIM.

Other less serious side effects may also occur. Upon injection of the medication, some patients experience pain, tenderness, or irritation at the injection site.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect IGIM?

It is not known whether other medications will interact with IGIM. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during treatment with IGIM.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about IGIM written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

IGIM is available with a prescription generically and under several brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision date: 8/23/04.

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