TABLE 6.

Key Features of IVIg

Features	Description
Pharmacokinetics	High “peak” IgG level immediately after infusion, followed by relatively low level at “trough” just before next dose is due
FDA-approved indications	Current indications include use as replacement therapy in patients with primary immunodeficiency syndromes, ITP, CLL, KD, pediatric HIV, and CIDP
Systemic side effects	Common
Local reactions	Infrequent
Administration	Typically administered in outpatient clinic or home setting with nursing support
Average length of infusion	2 to 4 hours
Dosing interval	Usually once every 3 or 4 weeks
Most common adverse events	Headache, chills, low-grade fever, myalgia, nausea
Patient satisfaction	A better option than SCIg for patients who have difficulty with needles and/or self-injection. Preferable in patients who have difficulty with compliance.

CIDP = chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy; CLL = chronic lymphocytic leukemia; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; IgG = immunoglobulin G; ITP = immune thrombocytopenic purpura; IVIg = intravenous immunoglobulin; KD = Kawasaki disease; SCIg = subcutaneous immunoglobulin.

Privigen^® is FDA-approved for PIDD and chronic ITP.

Sources: Adapted from Blaese 2007, Skoda-Smith 2010, Cherin 2010.