Do you also get sick frequently? Sometimes our body's immune system can become weak due to various reasons. When that happens, even a minor illness that a normal person gets can become more severe for you, or you may get infections frequently. So, in such cases, today we are going to talk about a special treatment that doctors recommend to help the body's defense system.
What is this medicine? Let's understand it simply.
This is actually a combination of two medications. Let's look at them separately.
1. Immune Globulin: This is the main drug. Simply put, this is a collection of antibodies collected from the blood plasma of a large number of healthy people. Antibodies are like part of our own army that fights germs that enter our body. So, if your body is producing less of these antibodies, when these antibodies that are given from outside enter your body, they give you a lot of strength to fight germs. That is, this helps to prevent you from getting infections or reduce the severity of them if you do get them.
2. Hyaluronidase: This is a protein that is naturally present in our body. Its function is to help the body absorb the medicine called `Immune Globulin` mentioned above under the skin. It is like someone paving the way. This allows the main medicine to enter the body more efficiently.
The combination of these two drugs is most commonly known by the brand name `HYQVIA`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this treatment, it is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the conditions below.
| Your health condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Some of the ingredients in this medicine can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Heart disease | It is important to inform your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, as there may be a risk of blood clots. |
| A history of blood clots | It is essential to inform the doctor about this as the medication may slightly increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Kidney disease | Since this medication can sometimes affect the kidneys, your doctor should be aware of your kidney condition. |
| Decreased Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels | People with low IgA levels may experience severe allergic reactions to this medication. Therefore, please inform us in advance. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | If you have had any previous allergies to this medicine or anything else, be sure to tell us about it. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and breastfeeding | In these cases, it is important to talk to your doctor about the effects of the medication and make a decision. |
How do you use this medicine?
This is not an injection that is usually given into a vein. It is given as a subcutaneous infusion . That is, the medicine is injected into the fatty layer under the skin.
Most of the time, this is given to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. But sometimes, you may be taught how to apply it yourself at home. If this is the case, it is very important to take the medicine exactly as instructed, and at the right time .
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if you miss a dose of medicine?
It is very important to take this at regular intervals. If you miss a dose, don't worry. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible and get advice. Never take two doses at once.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
The main thing that can interact with this medicine is live virus vaccines . For example, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
Imagine, the antibodies you receive from outside with this `Immune Globulin` medicine fight against the weakened live virus in the vaccine and inactivate it. Then, the immunity expected from the vaccine will not develop in your body.
Therefore, if you need to get any vaccinations within 8 months of taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor. You may need to be given a different vaccination schedule or an extra dose (booster dose).
Also inform your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicines you are taking.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them require immediate attention, while others are not so serious.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, vision changes, sudden and severe headache, leg pain, swelling, difficulty speaking, numbness in the face or arm. |
| Symptoms of kidney disease | Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine that comes out. |
| Other serious symptoms | Fever, severe headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to light, vomiting. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| At the injection site | Pain, redness, swelling, or slight itching. |
| Other | Feeling tired or weak. |
Other things to keep in mind when taking the medicine
This medicine is made from human blood plasma, so some people may be a little worried. However, these are very carefully tested and manufactured to ensure that there is no risk of infection. So far, no infections have been reported to have been transmitted through this. However, if you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor.
Also, tell your doctor if you have excessive diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating. Dehydration can be dangerous when taking this medication.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine helps your immune system by providing your body with antibodies obtained from healthy donors.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and medications you are taking.
- While taking this medicine and for several months afterward, it may affect the effectiveness of live vaccines, so seek medical advice before receiving any vaccine.
- Be aware of serious side effects such as allergic reactions and blood clots. If any of these occur, seek medical attention immediately.
- Never be afraid to discuss any questions, fears, or doubts you may have about this treatment with your doctor.
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