Hizentra also referred to as immune globulin is made of uncontaminated solution prepared from human plasma. It comprises of antibodies to assist your body fight against a range of infections coming from different diseases.
Hizentra may lead to blood clotting. This is more common in patients with risk factors like heart problems, estrogen use, having blood circulation issues, having a record of blood clots, in bed ridden patients, if you are more than 65 years of age, and in those using catheter.
How Effective is Hizentra?
Hizentra injection which is shot under the skin is utilized in effective treatment of primary immunodeficiency (PI) which includes but not restricted to common variable immunodeficiency, serious joint immunodeficiencies, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, humoral immune fault in congenital agammaglobulinemia and wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Do not receive hizentra injection under the skin when you have escalated amounts of some amino acids within your blood.
Stop your hizentra dosage and contact your doctor immediately if you have:
- Symptoms of brain blood clot like prompt weakness or numbness, unclear speech, balance and vision problems.
- Symptoms of leg blood clot like warmth, pain, swelling or redness.
- Symptoms of lung or heart blood clots like fast heartbeats, chest pain, prompt cough, quick breathing, wheezing, coughing blood.
Hizentra medicine may also hurt your kidneys more so if you have kidney problems or when taking other drugs. Most drugs which includes some of the over counter medications can harm your kidneys.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of kidney problems like minute or lack of urine, fast increase in weight and swelling.
Take a lot of fluids while using Hizentra to keep your kidneys safe as well as promote blood flow.
Before Taking Hizentra
Do not use Hizentra if you suffer allergic reactions to immune globulin or when you have:
Increased levels of some amino acids in your blood (hyperprolinemia)
Deficiency in immune globulin A (IgA) with antibody to IgA.
Hizentra medication can result to blood clots or hurt your kidneys.
Ensure that you are safe with Hizentra and inform your doctor if you have:
- Diabetes, kidney problems,
- If you are over 65 years of age,
- If you are experiencing dehydration,
- When using a catheter,
- If you have a record of blood clot or stroke,
- If you are bed ridden because of serious sickness,
- If you have blood circulation complications, heart illness or blood vessel problem,
- Or when using pregnancy control pills or on hormone replacement treatment.
You may require dose adjustment if you are prone to measles or if you go to places where this condition is rampant.
It is not established whether hizentra can hurt your unborn child (FDA pregnancy Category C). Inform your doctor if you are or planning to get pregnant during Hizentra treatment.
It is also not clear if Hizentra medicine or immune globulin combines with breast milk or whether it can hurt your nursing child. You should also inform your doctor if you are nursing a baby.
Hizentra medication is prepared from human plasma which is a portion of blood that can hold viruses and other infections. The donated plasma is treated and stringently tested to minimize the risks of harboring infectious factors, but there exist a possibility of transmitting diseases. Ask your medical provider about the advantages and disadvantages of you using this medicine.
How Hizentra is Administered?
Hizentra medicine is injected under the skin by use of an infusion pump. This drug gets into your body via a catheter positioned under the skin. Your doctor will also teach you how inject this medication at home.
Never inject yourself if you do not know how to administer the injection and how to safely dispose the used tubing, needles and other devices used in injecting Hizentra.
Hizentra can be given weekly or on every two weeks infusion basis. You must follow your doctor’s dosage directions. For those using this drug at home, make sure that you keep a clear record of when and how many injections you need to administer as well as the part of your body to inject.
This medication must be administered gradually and the infusion may take up to 1 hour to complete it. You may require utilizing up to four catheters to shoot this medication on different parts of your body at the same time. Your physician will explain to you the suitable parts of the body to inject Hizentra. Adhere to your doctor’s advice.
You must not shake the bottle of this medication or you will destroy the medicine in it. Set up your dose only when ready to inject it. Do not mix Hizentra with other drugs in one infusion. Never use this drug if it has particles in it or if it has changed colors. Contact your pharmacist for a new one.
Hizentra subcutaneous must not be injected into a vein.
Before you carry out the hizentra injection, check to ascertain that the blending pump needle is not in the vein. To test this; slowly pull back on the nozzle of the syringe linked to the tube. If you see blood moving into the syringe take out the tube and the catheter and dispose them. Start again with new devices and test if blood flows back.
Only use one single bottle of Hizentra once. Dispose it after use even if there is left medicine in it after administering your dosage.
The tubing, catheter and needle are only used once, and thereafter dispose them in a puncture proof container. Your pharmacist will help you on how to acquire it and the safe way of disposing it. Keep the container away from pets and children.
You may require regular blood tests when using Hizentra medicine.
Hizentra may cause unfamiliar outcomes in some medical tests. Inform the doctor treating you that you are on Hizentra therapy.
Store this medicine in its original pack to shield it from light. Also do not freeze it, and store it at room temperature away from light, heat and moisture.
Dispose away hizentra medicine that is frozen. Also throw away any expired hizentra medicine.
What are the Side Effects of Hizentra?
Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any symptoms of allergic reactions to hizentra: such as breathing difficulties, hives or swelling of your lips, throat, face and tongue.
Common side effects of hizentra can include:
- Pain all over your body,
- Slight rashes and itching,
- Back pains,
- Having headache, feeling tired, migraine are all the side effects of hizentra,
- Vomiting, having stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea and nausea,
- Bruising, redness, swelling and itching at the spot where this medicine was shot during injection.