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Overview: Octagam is given by a health care professional into one of your veins for certain rare conditions that involve your immune system. Common side effects include a headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, a higher heart rate, or increased blood pressure. 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 heartbeat.

Uses

What is Octagam used for?

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

These uses may vary, depending on the specific Octagam product prescribed.

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

How does Octagam work (mechanism of action)?

Primary immunodeficiency is a condition where your body has trouble making its own antibodies or fighting infections. Octagam provides certain human immunoglobulins, called IgG antibodies. Using it provides passive immunity, which helps to prevent certain infections, or makes them less severe, in people with primary humoral immunodeficiency.

Octagam seems to help with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy by affecting your body’s immune system.

How is Octagam supplied (dosage forms)?

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

How should I store Octagam?

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

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Octagam?

The most common side effects of Octagam 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
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever or chills
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near where the needle went in

There may be other side effects of Octagam 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 Octagam?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Octagam 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. Octagam 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 have a higher risk of blood clots if you are over 65 years old, have certain health conditions, or take certain medicines. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using Octagam. Your health care provider may need to check labs to see if you have a higher risk of a blood clot. Keep all of your appointments, including those for lab work, while using Octagam. 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 Octagam. This damage can be severe, possibly leading to kidney failure or even death. You may be at a higher risk of kidney damage if you have diabetes, are overweight, or if you are dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using Octagam. Your health care provider may need to check labs to monitor your kidneys while you are using Octagam. Keep all of your appointments, including those for lab work, while using Octagam. 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. Octagam may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which is called hemolytic anemia. Your health care provider may run tests and stop Octagam 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 urine (pee)

Lung Damage. If your body reacts a certain way to the antibodies in Octagam, 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 Octagam. 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 Octagam 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. Octagam may irritate 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

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Octagam?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Octagam.

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

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

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

What should I know about Octagam before using it?

Octagam is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. In some cases, you may get your doses at home.

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

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

Octagam may cause some machines that measure glucose (sugar) levels to report that your blood sugar readings are high, when they really are not. If you check your blood sugar at home, ask your health care provider if your machine will give you accurate blood sugar readings.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from Octagam. 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 Octagam?

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 Octagam 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 Octagam. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Octagam could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. 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 Octagam while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Octagam 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 Octagam while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Octagam?

For more information about Octagam, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.octagaminfo.com or call them at 833-382-7686.

Interactions

Does Octagam interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Octagam, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections if you have primary immunodeficiency.

Does Octagam interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Octagam 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 Octagam?

If you or someone else has used too much Octagam, 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 Octagam?

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

Octagam is usually given by a health care provider in your home, a hospital, or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Octagam as scheduled.

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