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How to Administer IVIg Replacement Therapy for Primary Immunodeficiency

The ABC’s of Primary Immunodeficiency

A quick reference for commonly used acronyms
PI or PID Primary Immunodeficiency (Disease)
IgG Purified Immunoglobulin Type G
IgRT Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy
IVIg Intravenous Therapy
SCIg Subcutaneous Therapy
CBC Complete Blood Count

What Is Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy (IgRT)?

Some people are born with weak immune systems. This type of inherited immune disorder is called primary immunodeficiency (abbreviated PI or PID).1,2 Because their immune systems don’t work correctly, people with immune disorders can get sick more often and for longer than healthy people.1 Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (abbreviated IgRT) is a medical treatment made from the antibodies of human blood plasma.3,4 Treatments like these are referred to as biologics (or biologic drugs). IgRT products are biologic drugs used to treat people with PI in order to prevent and fight infections.4

Although IgRT replaces the antibodies that PI patients can’t make on their own, it can’t stimulate the person’s immune system to work correctly. For this reason, once a patient is prescribed IgRT, they usually remain on the therapy for their lifetime.5

How Is Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy (IgRT) Administered?

IgRT treatments are infused directly into the body with a needle, rather than swallowed like a pill. There are 2 ways to administer IgRT:

  1. Through a vein, called intravenous Ig therapy (abbreviated IVIg)
  2. Under the skin, called subcutaneous Ig therapy (abbreviated SCIg)

Each route of administration has unique qualities that may be considered advantages or disadvantages, depending on the patient’s individual circumstances. Each patient’s response to treatment, unique medical needs, and lifestyle all play a role in determining which method of infusion is best for them. Take the time to talk to your healthcare provider to choose which administration route is best for you. Continue reading to learn more about the specifics of IVIg administration.

Terminology Tips

Quick definitions of terms used in this article
Adverse event Unwanted harmful side effect
Antibody An infection-fighting protein, or immunoglobulin, in blood plasma
Biologic(s) A medical product that is manufactured in, extracted from, or semi-synthesized from living materials including human, animal, plant, fungal, or microbial.
Catheter A thin tube made from medical grade materials used for a broad range of functions in treating diseases as well as for surgical procedures
Circulatory system Bloodstream
Clinical response Ability to successfully fight infection and illness and stay healthy
Dose Amount of medication specified for an infusion
Interval Time between infusions
Peak Highest measure of IgG in the bloodstream
Titrate To adjust dose and administration of medicine
Trough Lowest measure of IgG in the bloodstream
Wear off The approach to the trough

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) Therapy

IVIg has been used to treat patients with PI since the 1980s.6,7 It is a purified immunoglobulin type G (IgG) biologic made from the pooled plasma of thousands of healthy human donors.3,4 IVIg products consist of mostly IgG antibodies and trace amounts of IgA, IgM, and other plasma proteins.7 Today, IVIg products are FDA approved for various, differing indications, including:

  • Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
  • Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) – a group of PIDs that have similar features but different underlying causes
  • Primary immunodeficiency disorders associated with defects in humoral (antibody) immunity
  • Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Although IVIg is FDA-approved for the immunological disorders listed above, it continues to be studied for many other immunological disorders and is frequently used as an off-label treatment for many disorders, conditions, and diseases. However, it has not been shown to be effective in all immunological conditions in which it has been studied. It has also been reported as effective in some clinical studies in treating some neurological and inflammatory conditions.2

The dosing (how much) and intervals (how often) of IVIg treatments are unique to each patient and IVIg product. Clinicians adjust the doses and dosing intervals to keep the patient in good health, which is referred to as the clinical response.1 Dosing and intervals are also regulated to avoid any harmful side effects, called adverse events that might occur from the therapy.1 To monitor a patient’s clinical response while on IVIg therapy, prescribers will request blood work periodically to track:1,3,4,8

  • The IgG levels in the patient’s blood over time
  • How the patient is responding to the biologic
  • How often the patient continues to get sick

The clinician will also monitor other blood levels, such as complete blood counts (CBC) and measures of liver and kidney function.9

Because IVIg products are not identical, each product affects each patient differently.7 For this reason, it is essential to work with your healthcare provider to identify which IVIg product is best for you.

Figure 1: Intravenous access through the arm, using a catheter.

In the case of patients with PI, IVIg infusions should be given consistently—usually every 3 to 4 weeks.3,4,10 During the treatment session, a nurse who is trained in the administration of IVIg therapy will use a needle (called a catheter) to infuse the prepared Ig formulation directly into the patient’s vein.11 (See Figure 1 for an example of venous access in an arm.) Depending on the patient and circumstances, IVIg treatments can be administered in a hospital or outpatient setting, doctor’s office, or patient’s home—but always scheduled in advance.4

The length of time it takes to infuse IVIg from start to finish varies, but usually takes between 2 and 6 hours.11 This duration includes the time needed to prepare the supplies and other pre-medications, place the IV catheter, and administer any pre-hydration fluids that might be required before the infusion begins.

The full dose of IVIg is administered all at once directly into the patient’s bloodstream (referred to as the circulatory system).4 Thus, a large amount of antibodies enters the circulation in a short time and is used up over the next few weeks, causing the IgG levels to be at their highest right after an infusion and at their lowest just before the next dose is due.4,12 (See Figure 2.) These fluctuating IgG levels are referred to as peaks (highest measures) and troughs (lowest measures).

The healthcare provider has 2 primary goals:

  1. To make sure the patient is tolerating the prescribed IVIg product.
  2. To keep the circulating IgG levels balanced, even at their trough levels.

Therefore, prescribers will order routine lab tests to continually measure and adjust (or titrate) the IVIg dosing.

Figure 2: Bloodstream IgG levels showing peaks & troughs at 3- to 4-week intervals11

For patients with PI, dosing intervals are adjusted to achieve an IgG trough level of more than 500 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).3,4 To accomplish this, the starting point for most IVIg maintenance dosing is between 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and 600 mg/kg per month (or every 3 to 4 weeks).3 These adjustments are important because PI patients who receive IVIg are often at higher than average risk of infection as they approach their IgG trough levels.4 This occurrence, which is also known as wear-off, may increase the risk of illness for patients on longer dosing intervals or administration cycles.4

Even though IVIg is considered safe, it can sometimes cause adverse effects both at the injection site (local) and in the body (systemic). Most reactions are mild or moderate, but some can be severe.13 Severe systemic reactions, however, are usually self-limiting and rare.7,13 Healthcare providers typically use approved mitigation or relief strategies to help reduce or even prevent some of these adverse events.13,14 For example, a person might be at risk of developing post-infusion headaches if they have a history of migraines. For these patients, the prescriber may slow the rate of infusion or add a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to the prescription order as a strategy to avoid any potential infusion-related headaches.13,14 If a mild or moderate adverse event occurs during an infusion, the nurse can adjust the rate or stop the infusion, which is usually all that is required to alleviate the symptoms.13,14

However, because every Ig product is unique, not all patients can tolerate all products. Therefore, to relieve persistent product-related symptoms that cannot be controlled or managed with established procedures, a prescriber may switch a patient from one IVIg product to another, or from IVIg to SCIg.1

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you notice any adverse reactions, including any of the following symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Fevers/chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or both
  • Symptoms of infections

Which Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy (IgRT) Administration Route is Right For me?

Whether you choose IVIg or SCIg, the success of your Ig therapy experience not only depends on the knowledge, expertise, and support of your medical team but also your spirit of collaboration and participation.4 Although either route of Ig administration can be appropriate for patients with PI, each one has its unique qualities. In the end, however, the choice of which route of Ig administration you would prefer will be up to you.4 Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about your options so that you can make the best decision for your medical needs and lifestyle.

Want to learn more about SCIg infusions? Check out “How is SCIg Administered?

The page contains general medical information that cannot safely be applied to any individual case. Medical knowledge and practice can change rapidly. Therefore, this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

References:

1. McCusker C, Upton J, Warrington R. Primary immunodeficiency. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):61-71.

2. Perez EE. Immunoglobulin use in immune deficiency and autoimmune disease states. Am J Manag Care. 2019 Jun;25(6 Suppl):S92-S97.

3. Perez EE, Orange JS, Bonilla F, et al. Update on the use of immunoglobulin in human disease: A review of evidence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(3):S1-S46.

4. Ness S. Differentiating characteristics and evaluating intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin. Am J Care. 2019;25:S98-S104.

5. Chapel H, Prevot J, Gaspar HB, et al. Primary immune deficiencies – principles of care. Front Immunol. 2014;5(627):1-12.

6. Skoda-Smith, Torgerson, Ochs. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy in the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiency disease. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2010;6:1-10.

7. Barahona Afonso AF, Pires Joao, CM. The production process and biological effects of intravenous immunoglobulin. Biomolecules. 2016;(6)15:1-20.

8. Novaretti MC, Dinardo CL. Immunoglobulin: production, mechanisms of action and formulations. Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter. 2011:33(5):377-382.

9. Jolles S, Chapel H, Litzman J. When to initiate immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) in antibody deficiency: a practical approach. Clin Exp Immunol. 2017 Jun;188(3):333-341.

10. Zuizewind CA, van Kessel P, Kramer CM, et al. Home-based treatment with immunoglobulins: an evaluation from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals. J Clin Immunol. 2017;38:876-885.

11. Immune Deficiency Foundation. IDF Guide to IG Therapy. Epland K, Perez EE. Townson, MD: Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2018.

12. Kobrynski L. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy: a new option for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Biologics. 2012;6:277-287.

13. Bonilla FA. Intravenous immunoglobulin: adverse reactions and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122:1238-1239.

14. Guo Y, Tian X, Wang X, Xiao Z. Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy. Front Immunol. 2018(9)1299:1-13.

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