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Using GAMMAGARD LIQUID Therapy

Dosing:

For patients with primary immunodeficiency, monthly doses of approximately 300-600 mg/kg infused at 3 to 4 week intervals are commonly used. As there are significant differences in the half-life of IgG among patients with primary immunodeficiency, the frequency and amount of immunoglobulin therapy may vary from patient to patient.1

Administration:

For initial infusion of GAMMAGARD LIQUID therapy begin infusion at a rate of 0.5 mL/kg/hr; after 30 minutes increase the rate gradually to a maximum of 5 mL/kg/hr or as reasonably tollerated by the patient. During subsequent infusions, the initial rate and the rate of escalation are based on previous infusion history.1

Storage1:

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is indicated for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders associated with defects in humoral immunity. These include but are not limited to congenital X-linked agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiencies.

Important Risk Information for GAMMAGARD LIQUID

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is contraindicated in patients with known anaphylactic or severe hypersensitivity responses to Immune Globulin (Human). Patients with severe selective IgA deficiency (IgA < 0.05 g/L) may develop anti-IgA antibodies that can result in a severe anaphylactic reaction.

Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) products have been reported to be associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis, and death. Patients predisposed to acute renal failure include patients with any degree of pre-existing renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, age greater than 65, volume depletion, sepsis, paraproteinemia, or patients receiving known nephrotoxic drugs. Especially in such patients, IGIV products should be administered at the minimum concentration available and the minimum rate of infusion practicable. 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.

Glycine, an amino acid, is used as a stabilizer. GAMMAGARD LIQUID does not contain sucrose.

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is made from human plasma. It may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g. viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.

Components used in the packaging of this product are latex-free.

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, hypercoagulable disorders, and prolonged periods of immobilization.

IGIV products can contain blood group antibodies that may cause a positive direct antiglobulin reaction and, rarely, hemolysis.

Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS) has been reported to occur infrequently in association with IGIV treatment. Discontinuation of IGIV treatment has resulted in remission of AMS within several days without sequelae.

Various mild and moderate reactions, such as headache, fever, fatigue, chills, flushing, dizziness, urticaria, wheezing or chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, rigors, back pain, chest pain, muscle cramps, and changes in blood pressure may occur with infusions of Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human).

Please see the Full Prescribing Information for GAMMAGARD LIQUID [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] for full prescribing details.

  1. GAMMAGARD LIQUID [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] 10% package insert. Westlake Village, CA. Baxter International Inc.; October 2009.