IVIG
Immunoglobulins are proteins produced by the immune system that help fight infection. IVIG or intravenous immunoglobulin is a plasma product that is formed by taking antibodies from about 20,000 healthy blood donors. This forms a collection of "Y" shaped antibodies called IgG.
IVIG was originally intended as a replacement therapy for patients with X-linked Agammaglobulinemia and other primary immunodeficiency diseases. The FDA has approved the use of IVIG for the treatment of many diseases. It is an effective treatment for secondary immunodeficiency diseases, as well as a host of auto-immune and inflammatory disorders.
IVIG is administered intravenously over several hours. The treatment is usually repeated as ordered by the physician. Body weight and specifics of the disease process are used in determining the dosage. The length of the infusion will also vary depending on the amount of IVIG administered per day along with the patient's tolerance to the therapy. The infusion rate will start slowly and will be gradually increased over the course of the infusion. A typical IVIG infusion can take up to six hours. Most patients require infusions every two to four weeks depending on their response to the therapy.
IVIG was originally intended as a replacement therapy for patients with X-linked Agammaglobulinemia and other primary immunodeficiency diseases. The FDA has approved the use of IVIG for the treatment of many diseases. It is an effective treatment for secondary immunodeficiency diseases, as well as a host of auto-immune and inflammatory disorders.
IVIG is administered intravenously over several hours. The treatment is usually repeated as ordered by the physician. Body weight and specifics of the disease process are used in determining the dosage. The length of the infusion will also vary depending on the amount of IVIG administered per day along with the patient's tolerance to the therapy. The infusion rate will start slowly and will be gradually increased over the course of the infusion. A typical IVIG infusion can take up to six hours. Most patients require infusions every two to four weeks depending on their response to the therapy.