Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection

Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection belongs to the class of medications called ‘immunising agents’ used to treat immunoglobulin (antibody) deficiency and certain inflammatory disorders. It is used to treat immunoglobulin deficiency in people with primary immunodeficiency or PID (present from birth) and secondary immunodeficiency or SID (developed in the later stages of life). Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection is also used to treat inflammatory disorders such as primary immune thrombocytopenia (reduced number of platelets), Guillain-Barre syndrome (short-term inflammation of the peripheral nerves causing weakness of legs and upper limbs), Kawasaki disease (inflammation of blood vessels in children), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or CIDP (long-term inflammation of peripheral nerves), and multifocal motor neuropathy (progressive disease leading to weakness of arms and legs).

Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection contains ‘Human normal immunoglobulin’, which replaces the deficient antibodies necessary to act against infections and inflammation. It works exactly as the immunoglobulins present in the body. Immunoglobulins are an essential part of the immune system, which recognises the antigens or foreign elements in the body and aids in their destruction. It also helps to reduce inflammation by improving immunity.

Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection will be administered by a trained healthcare professional; hence do not self-administer. This may cause side effects such as swelling or hardening at the injection site and headache, pain in the face, back, arms, legs, joints, or neck, fever, flu-like illness (runny nose and sore throat), blisters in the mouth, and throat, and throat tightness. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of the side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection if you are allergic to any of its contents or have blood clotting disorders. Before taking Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection, inform your doctor if you have had any vaccinations recently or have already had this product recently. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in people with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (IgA is a type of antibody that protects against infections). Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection is probably safe when given to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in elderly people. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may not interact with alcohol. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection acts by replacing the deficient antibodies that are necessary to act against infections and inflammation. It works exactly as the immunoglobulins present in the body. Immunoglobulins are an important part of the immune system, which recognizes the antigens or foreign elements in the body and causes their destruction. It is used to treat immunoglobulin deficiency in people with primary immunodeficiency or PID (present from birth) and secondary immunodeficiency or SID (developed in the later stages of life). Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection is also used to treat inflammatory disorders such as primary immune thrombocytopenia (reduced number of platelets), Guillain-Barre syndrome (short-term inflammation of the peripheral nerves causing weakness of legs and upper limbs), Kawasaki disease (inflammation of blood vessels in children), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or CIDP (long-term inflammation of peripheral nerves), and multifocal motor neuropathy (progressive disease leading to weakness of arms and legs).

• Swelling or hardening at the injection site
• Headache
• Pain in the face, back, arms, legs, joints, or neck
• Fever
• Flu-like illness (runny nose and sore throat)
• Blisters in the mouth and throat
• Throat tightness

Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in people with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (IgA is a type of antibody that protects against infections) as there is an increased risk of allergic reactions. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may cause a sudden fall in blood pressure with an allergic reaction, including shock, even in patients who have tolerated previous treatment with this medicine. So, it is advised to monitor patients during infusion and at least 20 min after the infusion. If you develop a severe headache, drowsiness, fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting after Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection, inform your doctor immediately. It may signify aseptic meningitis syndrome (severe inflammation of the brain's linings). Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in people with obesity or overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), hypovolemia (low blood volume), and blood clotting disorders, as there is a risk of developing a blood clot (very rare effect of Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection). So, inform your doctor if you notice any sign of a blood clot, such as pain, swelling and unusual warmth of a limb, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain worsening on deep breathing, and difficulty speaking. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems or who have taken medicines that may harm kidneys (nephrotoxic drugs) as Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may cause problems with kidney function in these people. In rare cases, Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may cause non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (accumulation of fluid in the lungs' air spaces, which is a non-heart related condition). In such cases, patients may experience breathing difficulty, bluish skin, and very low oxygen levels in the blood.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may interact with loop diuretics (furosemide and ethacrynic acid) and live vaccines (MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella vaccine).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in people with blood clotting disorders and immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency.

• FUROSEMIDE
• ETHACRYNIC ACID
• MMR VACCINE
• VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED)

• Eat a healthy diet that includes grains,  fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products. 
• Stay active and do moderate exercises every day. Maintain a normal weight.
• Get enough sleep, as sleep and immunity are closely related.
• Limit intake of sugar-rich foods or drinks.
• Stay hydrated. 
• Practice good hygiene.
• Manage stress levels. 

• Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should not be given intravenously.
• The side effects can be reduced or sometimes avoided by giving the Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection at a slow rate.
• The patient should be observed during the whole infusion and for at least 20 min after giving the Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection to exclude any development of the allergic reaction.
• It is strongly recommended that each time a dose of Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection is given, the name and batch number of the medicine should be recorded to maintain a record of the batches used.
• Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection may alter some blood test results for a certain time, so inform your doctor that you have Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection before undergoing blood tests.
• Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection should be used with caution in patients with diabetes as it may alter blood sugar levels. Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection doesn’t contain sugar; however, it can be diluted in a special sugar solution before giving the infusion.
• Do not take any vaccines (especially live vaccines) at least three months after taking Gamaglobin 16.5% Injection as this medicine may make the vaccine less effective. 

Immunoglobulin deficiency: Immunoglobulin deficiency indicates low levels of antibodies in the body due to decreased ability or inability to produce enough antibodies. It can be primary immunodeficiency (PID) and acquired or secondary immunodeficiency (SID). PID is congenital and a disorder present from birth. In PID, there is. On the other hand, SID is an acquired disorder that you get later in life.  Immunoglobulin deficiency can lead to recurrent infections and ineffective antimicrobial treatment.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia: In this condition, platelet levels are decreased in the blood. This condition causes easy bruising or bleeding. Children may also experience purplish spots on the lower legs. In children, this condition usually resolves without any treatment. However, adults may require treatment to control bleeding.  

Guillain-Barre syndrome: It is a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves due to an acute bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms include weakness and tingling in the legs and feet that can spread to the upper body. Some patients may also develop paralysis.

Kawasaki disease: It is the inflammation of the blood vessels that is characterized by rashes and fever. It can also affect lymph nodes and cause symptoms in your nose, mouth, and throat. This condition is seen in young infants and children.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP): It is a condition in which nerves in the body are affected. Symptoms include slow reflexes and weakness of the arms and legs.

Multifocal motor neuropathy: It is a condition in which motor nerves (nerves that control movements and actions) are affected due to abnormal responses of the immune system. Symptoms include weakness in the upper and lower arms, cramps, involuntary twitching, and atrophy (wasting) of affected muscles.