8 mins read

Privigen is given by a health care provider into one of your veins for certain immune system problems or inflammatory conditions. Common side effects include headache, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Serious side effects are less common but may include kidney problems, breathing problems, blood disorders, or blood clots. Contact your health care provider right away if you have swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs, trouble breathing, or a fast or abnormal heart beat while using Privigen.

Uses

What is Privigen used for?

Privigen (immune globulin intravenous, human) is commonly used for certain people for the following.

Privigen may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Privigen work (mechanism of action)?

Primary immunodeficiency is a condition where your body has trouble making its own antibodies. Privigen provides certain human immunoglobulins, called IgG antibodies. Using it provides passive immunity, which helps to prevent or decrease the severity of certain infections in people with primary humoral immunodeficiency.

 Privigen seems to help with other immune-related conditions by affecting your body’s immune system.

How is Privigen supplied (dosage forms)?

Privigen is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Privigen?

Privigen is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store Privigen at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Privigen?

The most common side effects of Privigen are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Fatigue or feeling very tired
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach
  • Fever or chills
  • Pain, including back, throat, or chest pain
  • Fluid accumulation in your joints
  • Itching or rash
  • Dizziness
  • Flu-like symptoms, including a sore throat
  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Pain in your arms and legs
  • Increased blood pressure (see below)

There may be other side effects of Privigen that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Privigen?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Privigen are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe allergic reactions. Privigen may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood clots. Privigen may cause a blood clot in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You may be at higher risk for blood clots if you are older than 65, have certain health conditions, or take certain medicines. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using Privigen. Your health care provider may need to check labs to see if you are at higher risk for a blood clot. Keep all of your appointments, including those for lab work, while using Privigen. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots. 

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
  • Vision loss
  • Bulging eyes 
  • Double vision

Kidney damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Privigen. This damage can be severe, possibly leading to kidney failure or death. You may be at higher risk for kidney damage if you have diabetes, are overweight, or if you are dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using Privigen. Your health care provider may need to check lab tests to monitor your kidneys while you are using Privigen. Keep all of your appointments, including those for lab tests, while using Privigen. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • A hard time catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Unexplained sudden weight gain
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Blood disorders. Privigen may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which is called hemolytic anemia. Your health care provider may run tests and stop Privigen if you have hemolytic anemia. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Fatigue
  • Increased heart rate
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes
  • Dark-colored pee (urine)

Lung damage. If your body reacts a certain way to the antibodies in Privigen, this can lead to fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) and a certain kind of lung damage called transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). This usually happens within six hours of using Privigen. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following. 

  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Lips turn blue

Risk of infection. The process to make Privigen involves the use of human substances. It is possible that these substances may carry germs that can cause infections. While steps are taken to reduce this risk, there is still a small chance you could get an infection. Some infections may not cause symptoms. Keep all medical appointments, so your health care provider can monitor your health. Talk with your health care provider about any concerns you may have.

Central nervous system swelling. Privigen may cause irritation of the tissue that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, leading to aseptic meningitis. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of meningitis. 

  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Sleepiness
  • Fever
  • Light sensitivity
  • Painful eye movements
  • Nausea or vomiting

Increased blood pressure (hypertension). Privigen may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. This usually happens while it is being given to you or shortly after it is given. It is more likely for your blood pressure to go up if you already have problems with high blood pressure. Your health care provider will likely monitor your blood pressure while you are receiving Privigen. Follow any instructions your health care provider gives you about adjusting your blood pressure medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable, but look out for and tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Privigen?

Allergies to ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Privigen.

  • Human immune globulin
  • Privigen
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Privigen.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. If you do not have enough of your own IgA, have antibodies to IgA, and a history of an allergic reaction to human immune globulin, you should not use Privigen. Privigen has some IgA in it. These things put you at a higher risk of having a severe allergic reaction to Privigen.

Inherited disorder. You should not use Privigen if you have an inherited disorder called hyperprolinemia. Proline is an amino acid (protein building block) that your body makes and can get from certain foods. Privigen has proline in it. If you have hyperprolinemia, your body has trouble breaking down proline. 

What should I know about Privigen before using it?

Privigen is usually given by a health care provider in your home, a hospital, or a clinic.

Keep all of your health care appointments while using Privigen, including those for lab work. Your health care provider will likely check labs to see how Privigen is working for you and to watch for side effects. 

Tell all of your health care providers that you are using Privigen, especially if they are ordering lab tests for you. Using Privigen may affect certain test results. Knowing that you are using it can help your health care providers understand your lab results.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from Privigen. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Privigen?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Privigen is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and past health conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You should not receive certain vaccines right before or while using Privigen. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Privigen could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Privigen while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Privigen passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Privigen while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Privigen?

For more information about Privigen, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.privigen.com or call them at 877-355-4447.

Interactions

Does Privigen interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Privigen and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Privigen, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections if you have primary immunodeficiency. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Privigen.

Does Privigen interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Privigen may interact with certain medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Privigen?

If you or someone else has used too much Privigen, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Privigen?

Missing doses of Privigen can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.

Privigen is usually given by a health care provider. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Privigen as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your Privigen dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. 

Look up another drug