Vaccinia immune globulin, human

Generic name: Vaccinia Immune Globulin, Human
Drug class: Immune globulins

Usage of Vaccinia immune globulin, human

Vaccinia Immune globulin is used to treat infections caused by the vaccinia virus.

Vaccinia immune globulin, human side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence unknown

Fever

headache

nausea

stiff neck or back

Observed postmarketing

Back, leg or stomach pain

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, loosening of skin

bluish color of fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds

blurred vision

change in consciousness

chest pain

chills

cold, clammy, pale skin

confusion

convulsions

cough

coughing that produces a pink frothy sputum

dark urine

decreased urination

diarrhea

difficulty or labored breathing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

fatigue

general body swelling

itching

irregular heartbeats

joint or muscle pain

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

loss of bladder control

loss of consciousness

muscle spasms or jerking of all extremities

nausea or vomiting

no blood pressure or pulse

noisy breathing

nosebleeds

not breathing

pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves

painful or difficult urination

red irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

severe, sudden headache

severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg

shortness of breath

slow heart rate

slurred speech

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips

stopping of heart

sudden loss of coordination

suddenly sweating

swelling in legs and ankles

swollen glands

tightness in chest

troubled breathing

unconsciousness

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vision changes

wheezing

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

eye disorder

energy increased

feeling unusually cold

feeling hot

lack or loss of strength

lip dry

muscle pain

shakiness in legs, arms, hands, feet

shivering

trembling or shaking of hands or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vaccinia immune globulin, human

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever HAD any unusual or allergic Reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no known specific information comparing use of vaccinia immune globulin in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the SAMe way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of vaccinia immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Adenovirus Vaccine

Dengue tetravalent vaccine, live

Influenza virus vaccine, Live

Measles virus vaccine, live

Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live

Poliovirus Vaccine, Live

Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

RubElla Virus Vaccine, Live

Smallpox Vaccine

Varicella virus vaccine, live

Yellow fever vaccine

Zoster Vaccine, Live

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Relate drugs

How to use Vaccinia immune globulin, human

Make sure you discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

Report all infections thought to have been possibly transmitted by this product by having your doctor call Cangene Corporation at 1-877-CANGENE.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take Depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For injectable doSage form:

For treatment and/or medical problems due to vaccinia virus:

Adults—Dose is based on weight and will be determined by your doctor.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Warnings

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a reaction to a vaccination.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.