How long does ivig infusion take

Being fully hydrated before your IVIG infusion can help minimize symptoms like headaches after the treatment. IV nurses also administer pre-medications which can include Benadryl, Tylenol or Advil, and other medications to reduce the severity of the common side effects associated with Ig treatment. You can use the time to:. Get a Free Evaluation. It may take weeks or even months to see the effects of IVIG therapy.

Keeping track of your treatment and how your body reacts after each session can help your doctor identify solutions to improve the results of your treatment. Remember to maintain open communication with your caregivers and doctors to ensure you receive the highest level of care for your IVIG treatment.

If you have any additional questions, you may book a call about co-pay assistance here. If you have any questions or want more information about Intravenous Immunoglobulin IVIG , speak to your healthcare provider. Skip to main content. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Listen Focus. What is the medication.

What is IVIG? IVIG is sometimes called Gamma. Before giving the medication. What is IVIG used for? How to give the medication.

How long does it take to work. How long does it take to work? Side effects. Call your child's nurse or doctor if your child has any of these side effects: headache fast heart rate dizziness or feeling light-headed backache flushing of face nausea or feeling sick to the stomach stomach pain throwing up muscle pain or tenderness tightness in the chest or wheezing rash or hives chills or feeling cold fever Side effects can often be stopped or reduced If your child has any side effects, you or your child should tell the nurse.

Severe side effects to IVIG are rare Some children may have a severe side effect called an anaphylactic reaction. Tell your child's nurse right away if you notice your child having any: trouble breathing and tightness in the chest fever flushing and swelling of the face feeling sick to the stomach dizziness throwing up rash or hives Rare, severe reactions to IVIG A very small number of patients have other, more severe reactions to IVIG.

Hemolytic anemia Some children experience a drop in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin after IVIG. These are some signs of hemolytic anemia: pale skin yellowish skin, eyes and mouth jaundice dark-coloured urine pee fever feeling weak, dizzy or confused fast heart rate Aseptic meningitis Aseptic meningitis is a swelling of the outer covering of the brain.

These are some signs of aseptic meningitis: fever severe headache neck stiffness feeling sick to the stomach throwing up sensitivity to light being less alert Most patients recover within a few days and tolerate subsequent treatment. Hyperviscosity syndrome In hyperviscosity syndrome, the blood becomes thick and does not flow through the body as quickly as usual.

These are some symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome: headache fatigue or tiredness blurred vision Kidney failure In kidney failure, the kidneys stop working properly. These are some signs of kidney failure: your child cannot urinate pee your child's urine is much darker than usual. Intravenous immunoglobulin IVIg. Print this page. What is IVIg? Who can take IVIg? How is it taken? Side-effects and risks. The symptoms of this include: a chill or a fever headache stomach pain feeling sick or vomiting joint pain low back pain tiredness.

Sometimes people having IVIg may experience the following side effects, but all of these can be treated: a rash liver problems kidney failure inflammation of the brain, known as aseptic meningitis haemolytic anaemia, a condition with different causes, that destroys red blood cells.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should let the person managing your infusion know: chest tightness breathing difficulties a rash swelling of the face or tongue a drop in blood pressure. Effects on other treatments. Related information. There's no need to avoid alcohol before or after IVIg treatment. These infections may be present from birth or develop as a result of other diseases or treatments, e. IVIg may help reduce the chance of developing an infection and will likely need to be given repeatedly Immunomodulation therapy: Prescribed when the immune system attacks the body's normal cells.

IVIg may help to regulate the immune system to improve symptoms. If your child needs IVIg, your doctor will discuss with you: why they think your child needs an IVIg infusion the likely benefits any risks if there are any alternatives.

Giving consent You will be asked to sign a consent form to allow your child to have an IVIg infusion. The clinical staff at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service who authorise IVIg require this information to ensure: the correct type of IVIg product is authorised for the correct medical condition the correct dose is given to your child that the IVIg is shipped to the correct hospital.

What to expect with an IVIg infusion Unless your child already has one, an IV will be inserted into a vein, which may cause some brief pain and discomfort.

What are the risks? Key points to remember Your doctor will speak with you about why your child needs an IVIg infusion and ask for your consent before the procedure. IVIg is carefully tested so that the risk of getting an infection or virus is very small. Nursing staff will monitor your child carefully during the IVIg infusion.

Most children feel comfortable and no different at all during the infusion. Some children experience mild side effects, and very rarely more serious side effects occur.

Let nursing staff know if your child starts to feel unwell during the infusion.