Vnitr Lek 2019, 65(2):131-135

Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy

Iva Šutová^*, Zita Chovancová, Jiří Litzman

Ústav klinické imunologie a alergologie LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

Immunoglobulin products contain specific antibodies in IgG class which are directed against wide range of pathogens. These products are obtained from plasma of healthy donors. Immunoglobulin derivates can be administrated by intravenous or subcutaneous route in substitution or immunomodulation indications. The administration can be accompanied by a risk of adverse events. The most common are pyretic reactions, chills, headache, nausea, malaise and muscle pain, nevertheless also severe systemic reactions can occur. Almost one third of the reactions appear during the first administration. The number and severity of reactions depends on administered dose, speed and the application way. Pre-existing comorbidities of the patients and presence of acute infection are also an important risk factors for adverse reactions. Therapy of side effects is mostly symptomatic.

Keywords: adverse events; anaphylaxis; intravenous immunoglobulins; subcutaneous immunoglobulins

Received: March 16, 2018; Published: February 1, 2019  Show citation