Rho (d) Immune Globulin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 23, 2025.

Applies to rho (d) immune globulin: solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have back pain; shaking chills; a fever; dark urine; a decreased amount of urine; a sudden weight gain; swelling of the hands or feet; or shortness of breath after receiving this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious blood problem called intravascular hemolysis (IVH).

This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made from human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during the making of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, a rash, hives, chest pain, dizziness or lightheadedness, trouble breathing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

This medicine may cause blood clots, especially in patients with a history of blood clotting problems, heart disease, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or circulation problems. Patients who stay in bed for a long time because of surgery or illness may also have blood clots. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child suddenly have chest pain, shortness of breath, a severe headache, leg pain, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.

This medicine may cause a rare and serious lung problem a few hours after it is given. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have any breathing problems with or without a fever after you receive the medicine.

While you are being treated with Rho(D) immune globulin, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccines should not be given for 3 months after receiving Rho(D) immune globulin.

Other side effects

Some side effects of rho (d) immune globulin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, rho (d) immune globulin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rho (d) immune globulin:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rho (d) immune globulin: injectable powder for injection, injectable solution, intramuscular powder for injection, intramuscular solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were chills, pyrexia, increased bilirubin, and headache.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Frequency not reported: Intravascular hemolysis, hemolysis resulting in death, clinically compromising anemia, extravascular hemolysis, hemolytic reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Hemoglobinemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation^[Ref]

Hemolytic reaction includes hypotension, nausea, chills, headache, and a decrease in haptoglobin and hemoglobin.^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site swelling, injection site pain
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Injection site erythema, injection site induration, injection site warmth, injection site pruritus, injection site rash^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (14.3%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, vertigo^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea, vomiting
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Diarrhea^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Tachycardia, hypotension
• Frequency not reported: Increase in blood pressure
• Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin reaction, erythema, pruritus, pallor, rash
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperhidrosis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthralgia, back pain
• Postmarketing reports: Myalgia, muscle spasm, pain in extremities^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increase in blood bilirubin (21.4%)
• Postmarketing reports: Jaundice^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Chills (34.7%), pyrexia/increased body temperature (32.6%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Death
• Frequency not reported: Shivering, weakness
• Postmarketing reports: Chest pain, fatigue, edema^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dyspnea
• Postmarketing reports: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, transfusion related acute lung injury^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Acute renal insufficiency
• Postmarketing reports: Renal failure, renal impairment^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Transient positive anti-C antibody test
• Frequency not reported: Sensitization to repeated injections of human globulin^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Postmarketing reports: Hemoglobinuria, anuria, chromaturia, hematuria^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Rho (d) immune globulin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer