Immunoglobulins: Nursing pharmacology

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Notes
IMMUNOGLOBULINS | ||
DRUG NAME | immune globulin IV (BayGam, Flebogamma, Gammagard), immune globulin SC (BayGam, Cutaquig, Cuvitru, Hizentra), immune globulin IM (BayGam, Gammastan), hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG), botulism immune globulin (BIG), Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM, WinRho) | |
CLASS | Immunoglobulins | |
MECHANISM OF ACTION |
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INDICATIONS |
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ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION |
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SIDE EFFECTS |
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CONTRAINDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS |
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NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: IMMUNOGLOBULINS | ||
ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING | Assessment
Interventions
Monitoring
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CLIENT EDUCATION |
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Transcript
Human immunoglobulin therapy contains a mixture of immunoglobulins, also called antibodies, derived from the plasma of healthy donors.
Immunoglobulin therapy is used in a variety of health conditions, including treatment of immune deficiencies, prophylaxis of infectious diseases, and management of various inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Immunoglobulin products primarily contain IgG antibodies, as well as small amounts of IgM and IgA antibodies.
There are three routes of immunoglobulin administration: intravenous, more commonly known as IVIG, subcutaneous, or SCIG, and intramuscularly, or IMIG.
Other examples of commonly used immunoglobulins include the hepatitis B immune globulin, or HBIG, which is administered to clients after exposure to the hepatitis B virus; the tetanus immunoglobulin, or TIG, which is used primarily for prophylaxis of tetanus infection in clients with traumatic, puncture, or contaminated wounds; and the botulism immune globulin, or BIG, which is used to treat infant botulism caused by toxin type A or B.
Additionally, a specific immunoglobulin called RhO (D) immune globulin, or RhoGAM, is given to Rh-negative clients during pregnancy in order to prevent Rh immunization against their Rh-positive fetus.
Once administered, immunoglobulins act just like natural antibodies; so they recognize a specific antigen, bind to it so that the immune system can eliminate it, as well as modulating the immune response.
This can be helpful to fight off infections, as well as to prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells in autoimmune disorders.
One thing to keep in mind is that immunoglobulins offer passive immunity, which is temporary and only lasts for as long as the antibodies persist, usually a few weeks to months.
Sources
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology" LWW (2019)
- "Pharmacology" Elsevier Health Sciences (2014)
- "Mosby's 2021 Nursing Drug Reference" Mosby (2020)
- "Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination" Saunders (2016)
- "Adverse Effects of Immunoglobulin Therapy" Frontiers in Immunology (2018)
- "Gold Standard Drug Database" Elsevier
- " Outline Download Cite Share Favorites Permissions I.V. ROUNDS Administering immune globulin" Journals (March 2006)
- "The Nurse's Role in Administration of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy" Home Healthcare Nurse (2009)
- "Kawasaki Disease: Summary of the American Heart Association Guidelines" American Family Physician (2006)
- "Kawasaki Disease" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020)
- "Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)" Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (2020)
- "Maternal Child Nursing Care in Canada" Mosby Canada (2016)