Gamunex

Generic Name: immune globulin (intravenous) (IGIV) (im MYOON GLOB yoo lin)
Brand Names: Carimune, Flebogamma, Gammagard, Gammagard S/D, Gammaplex, Gammar-P I.V., Gamunex, Polygam S/D, Privigen, Sandoglobulin

What is Gamunex?

Gamunex (immune globulin) is a sterilized solution made from human plasma. It contains the antibodies to help your body protect itself against infection from various diseases.

Gamunex is used to treat primary immune deficiency conditions. Gamunex is used to treat people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), primary immunodeficiency (PI), or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Gamunex may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Gamunex

Gamunex can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before using Gamunex, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.

Before using Gamunex, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes (especially if you use insulin), a history of stroke or blood clot, heart disease, high blood pressure, a condition called paraproteinemia, or if you are over 65 years old.

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To be sure Gamunex is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Gamunex can cause unusual results with certain blood glucose tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Gamunex.

Gamunex is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Gamunex.

Before using Gamunex

You should not use Gamunex if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin or if you have immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibody to IgA.

To make sure you can safely use Gamunex, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• diabetes (especially if you use insulin);

• a history of stroke or blood clot;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a condition called paraproteinemia; or

• if you are over 65 years old.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Gamunex will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Gamunex. It is not known if immune globulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Gamunex without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Gamunex pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Gamunex is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Gamunex.

How is Gamunex given?

Gamunex is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Gamunex should not be injected into a muscle or under the skin.

Do not use Gamunex if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. Throw away any unused medicine that is left over after injecting your dose.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Gamunex is usually given every 3 to 4 weeks. Your dosing schedule may be different. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Gamunex can cause unusual results with certain blood glucose tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Gamunex.

Gamunex can be kept in a refrigerator for 36 months from the date of manufacture. The vials can be kept at room temperature up to 6 months any time during the 36 month shelf life, after which it must be immediately discarded. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about how to store Gamunex vials. Do not allow the medicine to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Gamunex.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Gamunex?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Gamunex. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.

Gamunex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Gamunex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;

• wheezing, chest tightness;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• black or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• red or pink urine;

• sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision or speech;

• chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, warmth or swelling in one or both legs;

• fever with headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions); or

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness.

Less serious Gamunex side effects may include:

• mild headache;

• dizziness;

• tired feeling;

• back pain, muscle cramps;

• minor chest pain; or

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Gamunex side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Gamunex?

Gamunex can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the kidneys. You may need dose adjustments or special tests if you have recently used:

• lithium (Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• pain or arthritis medicines such as aspirin (Anacin, Excedrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

• medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, such as mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

• medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf);

• IV antibiotics such as amphotericin B (Amphotec, AmBisome, Abelcet), amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci IM), capreomycin (Capastat), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), foscarnet (Foscavir), ganciclovir (Cytovene), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or valganciclovir (Valcyte); or

• cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Gamunex. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Gamunex.