Administering Vivaglobin^® 16%

Learning Sub-Q Ig self–administration can be simple¹

Vivaglobin^® is infused subcutaneously into the fatty tissue just below the skin. There are multiple subcutaneous injection sites available —in the thighs, upper arms, stomach, or hips—anywhere you can “pinch an inch."

The diagram shown below highlights potential subcutaneous injection sites.

Vivaglobin^® can be infused Sub-Q on a weekly basis, using a small, portable infusion pump.

If your doctor prescribes Vivaglobin^® therapy to treat your Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), you will receive personalized training on how to administer Vivaglobin^®. This training includes how to select and prepare the subcutaneous injection site, how to insert the needle and catheter, and how to use the infusion pump. You may be trained at your doctor’s office, clinic, or at home, typically by a nurse who will want to make sure that your first experience with Vivaglobin^® is a positive one.

In fact, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to self-administer Vivaglobin^® and assist you until you are comfortable administering your own infusions. After you self-infuse a few times, administering subcutaneous injections will become a routine process that you can do easily on your own.^1,3

CSL Behring provides comprehensive educational materials, including a patient starter kit and other resources. You can also find helpful information at this Web site:

Click here to watch a self-administration video that demonstrates the proper techniques for infusing Vivaglobin^® 16% at home.

If you’re learning how to administer Vivaglobin^® for your child, click here.

Or click here to order an informative Vivaglobin^® self-administration DVD that takes you through the steps you'll follow when administering subcutaneous injections of Vivaglobin^® at home.

You can also download a PDF from the National Institutes of Health on Giving a Subcutaneous Injection.

For information on common side effects of Vivaglobin^®, including mild to moderate reactions at the subcutaneous injection site, click here.

References:

1. Nicolay U, Kiessling P, Berger M, et al. Health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction in North American patients with primary immunedeficiency diseases receiving subcutaneous IgG self-infusions at home. J Clin Immunol. 2006;26:65-72.
2. Gardulf A, Nicolay U, Asensio O, et al. Rapid subcutaneous IgG replacement therapy is effective and safe in children and adults with primary immunodeficiencies – a prospective, multi-national study. J Clin Immunol. 2006;26:177-185.

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