Hizentra is now available

CSL Behring, maker of Vivaglobin® (Immune Globulin Subcutaneous [Human]), is pleased to announce that Hizentra is now commercially available. Hizentra is the first and only subcutaneous 20% liquid immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy indicated for the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD).

Please see Important Safety Information for Hizentra below.

Please see Important Safety Information for Vivaglobin below.

Important Safety Information for Hizentra

Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), Hizentra, is indicated as replacement therapy for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI). This includes but is not limited to the humoral immune defect in congenital agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiencies.

Hizentra is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic reaction to human immune globulin preparations or components of Hizentra, such as polysorbate 80. Because it contains the stabilizer L-proline, Hizentra is contraindicated in patients with hyperprolinemia. Hizentra is also contraindicated in patients with immunoglobulin A deficiency who have known antibody against IgA and a history of hypersensitivity.

All IgA-deficient patients with anti-IgA antibodies are at greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. If hypersensitivity occurs or anaphylactic reactions are suspected, discontinue administration immediately and treat as medically appropriate.

Hizentra is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

The most common drug-related adverse reactions (observed in 5% or more of subjects in the clinical trial) were local reactions (ie, swelling, redness, heat, pain, and itching at the injection site), headache, vomiting, pain, and fatigue.

Monitor patients for reactions reported to occur with IVIg treatment that might also occur with Hizentra, including renal dysfunction/failure, thrombotic events, aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS), hemolysis, and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).

Ig administration can transiently impair the efficacy of live attenuated virus vaccines, such as measles, mumps and rubella. It can also lead to misinterpretation of serologic testing.

No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed in patients over 65 or in pediatric patients. In the clinical study, desired serum IgG levels were achieved in pediatric patients without pediatric-specific dose requirements.

Please read full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information for Hizentra.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important Safety Information for Vivaglobin

Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), Vivaglobin®, is indicated for the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiency (PI).

Vivaglobin is contraindicated in individuals with a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic response to immune globulin preparations and in persons with selective immunoglobulin A deficiency who have known antibody against IgA. If anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions are suspected, discontinue administration immediately and treat as medically appropriate.

Vivaglobin is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse event was injection-site reaction, consisting of mild or moderate swelling, redness, and itching. No serious local site reactions were observed, and reactions tended to decrease substantially after repeated use. Other adverse events irrespective of causality included headache, gastrointestinal disorder, fever, nausea, sore throat, and rash.

Patients receiving Ig therapy for the first time, receiving a new product, or not having received Ig therapy within the preceding eight weeks may be at risk for developing reactions including fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. On rare occasions, these reactions may lead to shock. Such patients should be monitored in a clinical setting during the initial administration.

Ig administration can transiently impair the efficacy of live attenuated virus vaccines, such as measles, mumps and rubella.

In clinical studies, administration of Vivaglobin has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in both adult and pediatric subjects. No pediatric-specific dose requirements were necessary to achieve the desired serum IgG levels. Safety and efficacy were not studied in pediatric subjects under two years of age.

Please read full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information for Vivaglobin.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.