Infusion Nursing Notes Blog | All posts by joseph-distefano

Intravenous Immune Globulin & Adverse Drug Reaction (ADRs) Management: PART 2: Common Mild to Moderate ADRs

23. July 2019 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (0)

PART 2: Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is safe and effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Overall IVIG is well-tolerated in most patients. However, it is not without adverse drug reactions (ADRs), ranging from mild to severe. [More]

Intravenous Immune Globulin & Adverse Drug Reaction (ADRs) Management: PART 1: Boxed Warnings & Serious ADRs

16. July 2019 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (0)

PART 1: Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is safe and effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Overall IVIG is well-tolerated in most patients. However, it is not without adverse drug reactions (ADRs), ranging from mild to severe. [More]

National Shortage of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Injection

7. September 2018 Joseph DiStefano IVIG Essentials (0)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh
There is a national shortage of diphenhydramine (DPH) injection due to manufacturer delays. [More]

Immune Globulin Product and Route Differentiation

4. September 2018 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (0)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh
This is an updated blog article, originally published as IVIG Brands in December 2015. In addition to including some new and updated information, products administered subcutaneously are discussed. [More]

Anaphylaxis Review & Epinephrine Auto-Injectors and Vials

1. March 2017 Joseph DiStefano IVIG Essentials (0)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction resulting from exposure to allergens that is rapid in onset and can result in a life-threatening emergency. Severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis to immune globulin (IG) are uncommon. Patients with low serum IgA with anti-IgA antibodies are at greater risk.

Anaphylaxis signs usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen; sometimes it can occur [More]

Management of Anaphylaxis

14. June 2016 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (1)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Regardless of past tolerance to immune globulin (IG), a patient can have a reaction to any dose. Taking prescribed pre-medications and taking oral ones approximately 30 – 60 minutes before IG can help minimize or eliminate common adverse reaction such as headache and flu-like symptoms. While uncommon but serious, an anaphylaxis reaction can also occur and is the reason to always have the anaphylaxis kit readily available for use. [More]

Pre-Medications Use, Side Effect Management & Intravenous Immune Globulin

23. March 2016 Joseph DiStefano IVIG Essentials (3)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) preparations are safe and effective treatments for a variety of medical conditions. Serious, but uncommon reactions occur, and include thromboembolic events, (e.g., pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack), renal dysfunction and acute renal failure. Mild to moderate side effects that occur during or after IVIG treatment are more common. These may include: headache, flushing, chills, myalgia, fatigue, low grade fever, changes in blood pressure and lower back pain. While many common side effects may be controlled by decreasing the IVIG infusion rate, administering physician-prescribed pre-medications can [More]

IVIG Brands

18. December 2015 Joseph DiStefano Infusion Basics, IVIG Essentials (1)

By Joe DiStefano, RPh.

There are ten different brands of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) commercially available in the United States: [More]

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