Immunodeficiency Disorder Drug Therapy

Our Specialty Pharmacy offers pharmacy services to people with common variable immunodeficiency needing long-term drug therapy. Our pharmacy staff can provide the medications needed for your condition after you return home from the clinic. Experienced pharmacy professionals work closely with your Mayo Clinic care team to develop a personalized medication management program at no additional cost. We coordinate all billing and claims on your behalf, relieving you of up-front costs and the headaches of completing insurance forms and filing claims.

About Immunodeficiency Disorder
The Role of Medications in Treating Immunodeficiency
Side Effects, Cautions and Special Requirements
Always Ask Your Pharmacist

About Immunodeficiency Disorder

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by a low level of immunoglobulins (antibodies), which help the body to fight diseases. With CVID, you may become sick with recurrent infections.

You may also have more symptoms, longer-lasting illnesses and more complications with these infections than people who don't have the deficiency. The insufficient immune response is also associated with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

What causes low levels of immunoglobulins is not known. The disease may appear anywhere from infancy to adulthood. The symptoms and progress of the disease are different for each person (the reason the group of disorders is called variable).

Before diagnosis, most patients have recurrent infections of the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and bronchial airways. Without treatment, these chronic and repeat infections can cause permanent damage to the airways. Over time scarring and widening of the bronchi (bronchiolectosis) can occur.

Enlarged lymph nodes from recurrent infections and spleen enlargement are also common. Polyarthritis — inflammation of one or more joints — may also occur. Arthritis may go away with treatment or may continue. Other complaints include nausea, bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain and weight loss. Rarely are physical abnormalities associated with CVID.
A doctor confirms an immunodeficiency diagnosis with blood tests.

The Role of Medications in Treating Immunodeficiency

Replacement immune globulin. Replacing the missing immune globulin always improves the course of the disease. Immune globulin is extracted from human plasma containing the specific immunoglobulins and antibodies present in healthy people.

Antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat the recurrent infections associated with immunodeficiency disorders.

Other medications may also be needed to treat concurrent medical conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes or other medical conditions.

Side Effects, Cautions and Special Requirements

Common side effects from immune globulin include facial flushing; infusion reactions such as fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, changes in blood pressure or heart rate, shortness of breath (dyspnea) and leg cramps; and local pain at the injection site. More serious side effects are rare, such as acute respiratory distress, severe skin conditions, acute renal failure and stroke.

Many immune globulin drugs require refrigeration. The medication may not work as intended if not stored at correct temperatures. To get the most benefit from any medication you take, check with your pharmacist regarding proper storage and follow those requirements as directed. Mayo Clinic Specialty Pharmacy ships medications in freezer ice packs by expedited courier delivery.

Always Ask Your Pharmacist

If you experience problems with immunodeficiency disorder treatment, your pharmacist is a reliable source of information about immunodeficiency management and can help you monitor your condition, maximize the benefits of your medications, limit side effects and identify drug-drug or drug-disease interactions. Your pharmacist will work closely with your doctor to create a safe and appropriate care plan.

Optimal control of immunodeficiency disorder requires the coordinated care of your health care team. Doctors, nurses and other caregivers must work closely with pharmacists and others to ensure therapy is safe and effective. Incomplete management of your medical condition may lead to complications or limit the success of treatment.