Octagam

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, Octagam, Polygam S/D, Privigen, Sandoglobulin

What is Octagam?

Octagam liquid (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.

Octagam liquid is used to treat primary immune deficiency conditions such as congenital agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and severe combined immunodeficiencies.

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

Important information about Octagam

Octagam can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before using Octagam liquid, 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 Octagam, 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 Octagam 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.

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

Octagam liquid 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 Octagam.

Before using Octagam

You should not use Octagam liquid 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 Octagam, 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 Octagam will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Octagam liquid. It is not known if immune globulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Octagam without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

Octagam liquid 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 Octagam.

How is Octagam given?

Octagam liquid 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.

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

Do not use Octagam liquid 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.

Octagam 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.

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

Octagam liquid may be stored for 24 months at +2°C to +25°C (36°F to 77°F) from the date of manufacture. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about how to store Octagam liquid. 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 Octagam.

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 Octagam?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Octagam. 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.

Octagam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Octagam liquid: 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 Octagam 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: Octagam side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Octagam?

Octagam 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 Octagam. 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 Octagam.