Sandoglobulin

What is it?

A freeze-dried preparation of human normal immunoglobulin available with diluent for intravenous infusion.

Medical Uses

Replacement treatment in primary and secondary immunoglobulin deficiencies, prevention of bacterial infections in children born with AIDS, thrombocytopenic purpura (a bleeding disorder), Kawasaki syndrome (a disease of the lymphatic system affecting young children), bone marrow transplants, Guillain-Barre syndrome (a severe and often rapidly progressive form of polyneuropathy characterised by the development of a symmetrical pattern of muscle weakness and paralysis).

Dosage

Adults and children, primary replacement treatment, a single dose of 400 to 800mg per kg of body weight to start with, then 200mg per kg of body weight every 3 weeks. Secondary replacement treatment, 200 to 400mg per kg of body weight by intravenous infusion every 3 to 4 weeks. Thrombocytopenic purpura, 800 to 1000mg per kg of body weight on 1st day, repeated on 3rd day if necessary. Or, 400mg per kg of body weight each day for 2 to 5 days. Kawasaki disease, 1.6 to 2g per kg of body weight in divided doses over 2 to 5 days or 2g per kg of body weight as one dose. Bone marrow transplant, 500mg per kg of body weight once each week at first. Guillain-Barre syndrome, 400mg per kg of body weight each day for 5 days, beginning with infusion rate of 0.5ml per minute and increasing after 15minutes, if no adverse reaction, to 2.5ml per minute. Then, repeated doses every 4 weeks if needed. In all cases, doses given by intravenous infusion.

Special Care

During infusion, patients must be monitored for signs of anaphylaxis, irritation of meninges (membranes surrounding brain), haemolysis (breakdown of blood cells) and blond creatinine levels.

Avoid Use

Patients with selective immunoglobulin A deficiency who have antibodies to IgA and who are sensitized.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Live viral vaccines.

Known Side Effects

Allergic anaphylactoid-type reactions, inflammatory responses which may be delayed, nausea, headache, raised body temperature. In rare cases, aseptic meningitis, raised creatinine levels with possible kidney failure, hamolysis.