Subcutaneous Injection Sites – Learn to Infuse Sub-Q Ig at Home

Learning Sub-Q Ig self–administration can be simple¹

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

Graph of Subcutaneous Injection Sites

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

Self-Administer Sub-Q Injections

If your doctor prescribes Vivaglobin^® therapy to treat your Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), you will receive personalized training on how to administer Vivaglobin^®. 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, the process 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:

How to Self-Administer Vivaglobin^®: A Step-by-Step Guide. Click here for PDF.

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 Vivaglobin^® at home.

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

References:

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.
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.

Next: Administering Vivaglobin^® to Your Child

Important Safety Information

Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), Vivaglobin^®, is a prescription treatment for patients with primary immunodeficiency (PI).

Immune globulin products, such as Vivaglobin^®, should not be taken if you have a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic response to immune globulin (Ig) preparations. If you suspect you are having a severe reaction to Vivaglobin^®, discontinue treatment immediately and inform your doctor.

Vivaglobin^® is derived from human plasma. As with all plasma-derived products, the risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse event was mild or moderate swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site. Other adverse events included headache, gastrointestinal disorder, fever, nausea, sore throat, and rash. No serious reactions were observed, and reactions tended to decrease substantially with repeated use.

If you are receiving Ig therapy for the first time, are new to Vivaglobin^®, or have not received Ig therapy within the past eight weeks, your healthcare provider should monitor your initial treatment with Vivaglobin^®, as you could experience reactions including fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Rarely, these reactions may lead to shock.

Ig administration may impair the effectiveness of virus vaccines, such as measles, mumps and rubella. Consult your doctor if you plan to receive any vaccine.

In clinical studies, Vivaglobin^® has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in pediatric patients, without pediatric-specific dose requirements. Safety and effectiveness were not studied in subjects under 2 years of age.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information.