side effects following ivig treatment

[lartington]

My husband is into his 4th year of ivig treatment every 28 days, at first he tollerated it very well but over the last year he has developed flu-like symptoms which last for about 4 days, any comments anybody?? thankyou

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

It sounds like 'serum sickness'. You need to discuss it with the doctor, and perhaps change to lower dose weekly infusing or perhaps SCIG...subcutaneous. Perhaps a change in the manufacturer of IVIG would help... not all IVIG is the same.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I went for about 6 years being able to use whatever brand of IVIG they had in the pharmacy - seemed to go back and forth between two. I then had minor reactions twice in a row to one brand. Changing brands fixed the problem. Now UCLA (and some other major centers) uses Privigen only, as it seems to cause the fewest side effects overall in patients. I don't take the premeds now and do just fine, with no Benedryl after effect. On my way tomorrow for another round (almost 11 years now). Does your husband get Benedryl - infused or pills - and steroids with his infusions. Some centers use infused Benedryl and some add steroids to the pre meds. If so, one of those might be the problem. Some people, especially those over 65 have trouble with any form of Benedryl. One friend takes a different antihistimine, which solved her issue.

[Damms]

I had the same experience and is now on a weekly dosis of Hizentra (brand of Immunoglobine). I can infuse this at home in the evening before the tv and the only sideeffect is that I always sleep extremely well the night after.

The change in brand and way of infusion (from once a month at the hospital to once a week at home) was made due to my reaction to the medication.

-Trine