Immune globulin subcutaneous and Rash: What Users Say

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2018

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "First put on Hizentra. That worked like a miracle. That is, until my gradual itchiness turned into full hives after one infusion. So that was stopped. Cuvitru was next prescribed. As a nurse friend noted, often it's the 'stabilizer' that people are allergic to. I still have lightly raised hives, but they aren't full on or totally itchy. More like dry skin. Other reactions are redness at the infusion site for about 12 hours... gone the next day. Sometimes exhaustion that literally can knock me out for anything up to 2 hours in the mid-afternoon. Slight feeling in my head of cold and headache. Again, you can prep with Tylenol (I do not) and Benadryl. (I do not, since it does put me to sleep). The medication has kept me healthy. I no longer sweat being around children or adults who are coughing. The weekly infusion does run my life on that day, but the trade-off to be healthy and not sick on antibiotics 4 plus times a year (often with second rounds) makes the trade-off worth my while."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 14, 2023

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "At the age of 65, when we moved to Western MA, I began with a new allergist/immunologist who wanted to do allergy testing (yet again-but in different places-different allergies). I asked him to test my immune system, and was he shocked to learn I had/have the primary immune deficiency known as common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Choosing to get IgG via 'infusion' subcutaneously, I first was prescribed Hizentra. Within a year, I had a full torso allergic reaction with hives-so was changed to Cuvitru. I dose 10 grams once a week after putting lidocaine (prescription) in injection areas for 2.25 hours. Next, my husband inserts two needles in my upper arms, rotating between my left and right arms. I could infuse via the belly or upper thighs, but I'm too much of a softie to do so. THAT HURTS. IgG has changed my life-totally and for the better. Finally, when the world gets a cold, I get a cold, not an infection that might take two rounds of antibiotics to knock it out-LOVE IT."

• blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2025

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Magic medicine. Very few infections. Taken since 2018. Occasionally rash. Infuse 11g weekly towards bedtime & go to sleep afterwards."