IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY. Information for Patients

Transcription

1 IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY Information for Patients

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3 WHAT ARE IMMUNOGLOBULINS? Immunoglobulins (Ig) are antibodies, which are usually found naturally in our blood, saliva, tears and mucus. They defend our bodies by fighting infections. WHAT IS IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY USED FOR? Immunoglobulins are used to treat conditions where there are less of these antibodies than we need or they are missing altogether. Such conditions are known as Primary Immunodeficiency, and include: - - Common Variable Immunodeficiency - IgG Subclass Deficiency - Specific Antibody Deficiency - IgA Antibody Deficiency - X Linked Antibody Deficiency. - Hyper IgM Syndrome (CD40 ligand deficiency) HOW CAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY BE GIVEN? In Leicester Ig therapy is given in two main ways 1. Intravenously (IV) into a vein. 2. Subcutaneously (SC) under the skin. The right treatment for you will be discussed with you by the Consultant Clinical Immunologist and the Specialist Nurse in Immunology. HOW DOES IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY WORK? By giving IV or SC Ig the antibodies that are missing from the blood are replaced. This helps the body to fight off or prevent future infections. ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR RISKS WITH THIS TREATMENT? Although side effects or adverse reactions are rare they may still occur. Symptoms may include nausea, chills, chest pain and headaches. 3

4 The immunoglobulin is manufactured from a large amount of blood and goes through different stages of preparation to detect and inactivate viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. However there is still a small risk that blood borne infections such as Hepatitis, and others which have not yet been discovered, may be transmitted through immunoglobulin. It is important that this small risk is weighed against the benefits of treatment for each patient. HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO HAVE IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY? Because these conditions are caused by an inability of the body to make antibodies to fight disease, the treatment will most likely be continued indefinitely. HOW OFTEN IS IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY GIVEN? Usually Ig therapy is given every 2-3 weeks if given IV or every 1-2 weeks if given SC depending on each patient's requirements. HOW LONG WILL THE INFUSION TAKE? For your first infusion you may only have a test dose of Ig which will be given very slowly and will probably take all day. Depending on the dose IVIg infusions generally take 4-5 hours every 2-3 weeks, and SCIg 1-2 hours every 1-2 weeks. DO I HAVE TO COME TO HOSPITAL FOR THERAPY? Initially your therapy will be hospital based until the Consultant Clinical Immunologist, Specialist Nurse and yourself are satisfied that there are no side effects and that you are responding to therapy (about four to six months). Then if you fulfil certain criteria you may be entered into the Home Therapy Programme. 4

5 For further information please talk to your Specialist Nurse or your Consultant Clinical Immunologist at this hospital. Telephone: Or Contact the Primary Immunodeficiency Association (PiA), who produce a number of very useful leaflets about all aspects of primary Immunodeficiency and can be contacted at:- PiA, Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street, London, SW1H 0QS. Telephone: Facsimile: Website: 5

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7 If you would like this information in another language or format, please contact the Service Equality Manager on Haddaad rabto warqadan oo turjuman oo ku duuban cajalad ama qoraal ah fadlan la xiriir, Maamulaha Adeegga Sinaanta Eĝer bu broşürün (kitapçıĝın) yazılı veya kasetli açıklamasını isterseniz lütfen servis müdürüne telefonundan ulaşabilirsiniz. Written by Janet Harrison and Laura King - Specialist Nurses in Immunology. Department of Immunology University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Leicester Royal infirmary NHS Trust. Written: October 1999 Updated: November 2007 Revision due: November

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