Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Vaccinia Immune Globulin Human

Descriptions


Vaccinia immune globulin is used to treat infections caused by the vaccinia virus.

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no known specific information comparing use of vaccinia immune globulin in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of vaccinia immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Adenovirus Vaccine
  • Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
  • Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
  • Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
  • Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
  • Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
  • Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
  • Smallpox Vaccine
  • Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
  • Yellow Fever Vaccine
  • Zoster Vaccine, Live

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Vaccinia keratitis—Use is not recommended.
  • Hyperviscosity, known or suspected—May increase chance for serious side effects
  • Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency—Increased risk for allergic reaction

Proper Use

Make sure you discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

Report all infections thought to have been possibly transmitted by this product by having your doctor call Cangene Corporation at 1-877-CANGENE.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injectable dosage form:
    • For treatment and/or medical problems due to vaccinia virus:
      • Adults—Dose is based on weight and will be determined by your doctor.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Precautions

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a reaction to a vaccination.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence unknown

  1. Fever
  2. headache
  3. nausea
  4. stiff neck or back

Observed postmarketing

  1. Back, leg or stomach pain
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bleeding gums
  4. blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
  5. bluish color of fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
  6. blurred vision
  7. change in consciousness
  8. chest pain
  9. chills
  10. cold, clammy, pale skin
  11. confusion
  12. convulsions
  13. cough
  14. coughing that produces a pink frothy sputum
  15. dark urine
  16. decreased urination
  17. diarrhea
  18. difficulty or labored breathing
  19. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
  20. fatigue
  21. general body swelling
  22. itching
  23. irregular heartbeats
  24. joint or muscle pain
  25. light-colored stools
  26. loss of appetite
  27. loss of bladder control
  28. loss of consciousness
  29. muscle spasms or jerking of all extremities
  30. nausea or vomiting
  31. no blood pressure or pulse
  32. noisy breathing
  33. nosebleeds
  34. not breathing
  35. pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
  36. painful or difficult urination
  37. red irritated eyes
  38. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  39. severe, sudden headache
  40. severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg
  41. shortness of breath
  42. slow heart rate
  43. slurred speech
  44. sore throat
  45. sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
  46. stopping of heart
  47. sudden loss of coordination
  48. suddenly sweating
  49. swelling in legs and ankles
  50. swollen glands
  51. tightness in chest
  52. troubled breathing
  53. unconsciousness
  54. unusual bleeding or bruising
  55. unusual tiredness or weakness
  56. vision changes
  57. wheezing
  58. yellowing of the eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  2. eye disorder
  3. energy increased
  4. feeling unusually cold
  5. feeling hot
  6. lack or loss of strength
  7. lip dry
  8. muscle pain
  9. shakiness in legs, arms, hands, feet
  10. shivering
  11. trembling or shaking of hands or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.