SCIg therapy

Thousands of patients live with primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD). Many of them have discovered the advantages of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) therapy, a treatment in which the infusion occurs just below the skin, using a small needle and an infusion pump.

One of the alternatives to SCIg therapy is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment. While the 2 options offer the same basic benefits, SCIg can offer busy, active patients greater freedom and flexibility because they can self-infuse on their own schedule, following proper training from a healthcare professional.

	Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy options for primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD)^1,2
	Subcutaneous Ig (SCIg) therapy	Intravenous (IVIg) therapy

Reduces the incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs)	Reduces the incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs)
Facilitates self-infusion at home, after training by a healthcare professional, which increases patient flexibility	Requires trained healthcare personnel in most situations
Given once a week	Given once a month
Ideal for patients for whom a sharp increase in serum IgG levels during or after an IVIg infusion causes systemic adverse reactions	Ideal for patients who tolerate IV therapy with minimal adverse reactions
No venous access required	Venous access required
Demonstrated tolerability	Demonstrated tolerability
Ability to self-infuse requires reliable and adherent patient	Potential need for patient to travel to receive therapy

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Important Safety Information

Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), Hizentra^®, is indicated as replacement therapy for patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI), age 2 and older. 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 antibodies against IgA and a history of hypersensitivity.

Hizentra should be administered subcutaneously only. Do not administer intravenously.

IgA-deficient patients with anti-IgA antibodies may be at greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions with administration of Hizentra. 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 study subjects receiving Hizentra) were local reactions (ie, swelling, redness, heat, pain, and itching at the injection site), headache, diarrhea, fatigue, back pain, nausea, extremity pain, cough, rash, pruritis, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, pain, and migraine.

Monitor patients for thrombotic events and aseptic meningitis (AMS), which have been reported with SCIg. Also look forreactions reported to occur with IVIg treatment that might also occur with Hizentra, including renal dysfunction/failure, 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.

SCIg therapy

SCIg or IVIg therapy?

Protection against infection

Important Safety Information