Safety of liquid intravenous immunoglobulin for neuroimmunologic disorders in the home setting: a retrospective analysis of 1085 infusions.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the overall safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administered according to a clinically defined, home-based therapeutic regimen in patients with neuroimmunologic diseases.


METHODS
A total of 1,085 infusions of a new liquid IVIG 10% preparation were administered to 70 patients diagnosed with neuroimmunologic diseases over a 9-month period. These infusions were retrospectively reviewed for safety and tolerability.


RESULTS
A very favorable adverse effect (AE) rate (4.7%) was calculated over a wide range of doses (0.9-2.14 g/kg). There were no serious AEs reported, even among patients naive to IVIG therapy. Of 51 nonserious AEs, 53% occurred in 5 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this review of 1,085 high-dose liquid IVIG infusions using a closely monitored, yet highly flexible, home-based therapeutic regimen indicate a very favorable tolerability profile in patients with neuroimmunologic disorders, even in those who were new to IVIG therapy.
Rigas
Michael
M
Department of Clinical Affairs, Crescent Healthcare Inc, Anaheim, CA, USA.
Tandan
Rup
R
Sterling
Robert J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous