HEPATITIS B IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
- Immunizing agent (passive)
Description
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)(hep-ah-TY-tiss B im-yoon GLOB-u-lin) is used to prevent hepatitisB.
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) may be used for the following patients:
- Sexual partners of persons with hepatitis B.
- Persons who may be exposed to the virus by means of blood, bloodproducts, or human bites, such as health care workers, employees in medicalfacilities, patients and staff of live-in facilities and day-care programsfor the developmentally disabled, morticians and embalmers, police and firedepartment personnel, and military personnel.
- Those who have household exposure to persons with acute hepatitisB and babies less than 12 months old whose caregiver tests positive for hepatitis B.
- Babies born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B.
This medicine is available only from your doctor or other authorized healthcare professional, in the following dosage form:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For hepatitis B immune globulin (human), the following should beconsidered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to hepatitis B or any other human immune globulin . Alsotell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding? It is not known whether hepatitis B immune globulin(human) passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breastmilk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discussthis with their doctor.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of hepatitis B immune globulin (human) in children with use in other agegroups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problemsin children than it does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof hepatitis B immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other casestwo different medicines may be used together even if an interaction mightoccur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautionsmay be necessary. When you are taking hepatitis B immune globulin (human),it is especially important that your health care professional know if youare taking any of the following:
- Vaccines made from a live virus (except the oral poliovirus vaccineor yellow fever vaccine)?Hepatitis B immune globulin (human) may interferewith how well the vaccine will work
Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hepatitisB immune globulin (human). Make sure you tell your doctor if you have anyother medical problems, especially:
- Bleeding problems? Because hepatitis B immune globulin (human)is given as a shot into a muscle, it may cause more bleeding
- Immune system problems?Hepatitis B immune globulin (human)may cause severe allergic reactions
Proper Use of This Medicine
Hepatitis B immune globulin (human) is given as ashot into the muscle of the upper arm, upper thigh, or outer area of the buttocks.
Dosing?The dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (human)will be different for different patients. The following information includesonly the average doses of hepatitis B immune globulin.
- For injectable dosage form:
- For prevention of hepatitis B following nonsexual exposure:
- Adults?Dose is based on weight and will be determined by yourdoctor. If you have never been vaccinated with hepatitis B virus vaccine,your doctor may start the vaccination series. If you have been vaccinated,you may need a booster.
- Infants with mothers who test positive for hepatitis B?Doseis usually 0.5 milliliters (mL) injected into a muscle in the thigh.
- For prevention of hepatitis B following sexual exposure:
- Adults?Dose is based on weight and will be determined by yourdoctor. Your doctor may start the hepatitis B virus vaccination series ifthe exposure has been within the last 14 days or if sexual contact is likelyto continue.
- For prevention of hepatitis B following household exposure:
- Infants less than 12 months of age?Dose is usually 0.5 mLinjected into a muscle in the thigh.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Side effectsmay occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects maygo away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, checkwith your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
Less common
Abdominal or stomach cramping; burning,heat, and redness at the injection site; chills; diarrhea; feeling as if you are goingto vomit; joint pain; lightheadedness; skin rash; unusual tirednessor weakness
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketingfor a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medicalproblems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, hepatitisB immune globulin (human) is used to prevent infection by the hepatitis Bvirus in patients who have had liver transplants.
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relatingto proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.
Developed: 09/10/2001
Revised: 06/02/2002
