Octagam
Octagam 50 mg/ml contains human antibodies that help your body's immune system fight off infections and diseases.
Form
infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
50 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Human normal immunoglobulin
Manufacturer
Octapharma Ab
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your specific dose and how often you need it, as this varies for each person and condition.
Method
A healthcare professional will give you this medicine as an infusion into a vein.
Important
The maximum daily dose will be determined by your doctor, based on your individual needs and condition.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Allergic reaction
- •Headache
RARE
- •Low white blood cell count
- •Changes in heart rate
- •Changes in blood pressure
- •Vomiting
- •Back pain
- •Chest pain
- •Chills
- •Nausea
- •Fever
- •Tiredness
- •Reactions at the injection site
- •Abnormal liver function test results
- •Swelling of face, tongue, and throat, which can cause severe breathing difficulties
- •Sudden severe allergic reaction with shortness of breath, rash, wheezing, and low blood pressure
- •Stroke, which can cause weakness and/or numbness on one side of the body
- •Heart attack, causing chest pain
- •Blood clot, causing pain and swelling in the limbs
- •Anemia, causing shortness of breath and paleness
- •Pulmonary embolism, causing chest pain and shortness of breath
- •Severe kidney dysfunction, which can cause inability to urinate
- •Lung condition called TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury), causing breathing difficulties, bluish skin, fever, and low blood pressure
- •Severe headache with stiff neck, drowsiness, fever, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting (may be a sign of meningitis)
- •Fluid retention
- •Low sodium level in blood
- •Feeling restless, anxious, confused or nervous
- •Migraine
- •Speech disorders
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Dizziness
- •Tingling sensation in skin
- •Reduced sense of touch or sensation
- •Sensitivity to light
- •Involuntary muscle spasms
- •Reduced vision
- •Palpitations
- •Temporary bluish discoloration of lips or other skin areas
- •Circulatory collapse or shock
- •Inflammation of blood vessels
- •Pale skin
- •Cough
- •Breathing disorders
- •Lung edema (fluid accumulation in lungs)
- •Bronchospasm (breathing difficulties or wheezing)
- •Respiratory failure
- •Lack of oxygen in blood
- •Diarrhea, abdominal pain
- •Hives, itchy skin
- •Skin redness
- •Rash
- •Skin peeling
- •Skin inflammation
- •Hair loss
- •Joint and muscle pain
- •Muscle weakness or stiffness
- •Severe, painful muscle spasms
- •Neck pain, pain in legs or arms
- •Kidney pain
- •Skin swelling (edema)
- •Flushing, increased sweating
- •Chest discomfort
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Feeling cold or hot, or general malaise and weakness
- •Drowsiness
- •Burning sensation
- •Incorrect blood glucose test results
Important Warnings
- This medicine may rarely cause blood clots (like heart attack, stroke, or clots in legs/lungs), especially if you are overweight, elderly, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or have been inactive for a long time. Drink enough fluids and receive the infusion slowly.
- If you have had kidney problems, diabetes, are overweight, or are over 65, this medicine must be given very slowly to prevent kidney damage. Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you.
- If you have blood type A, B, or AB, or certain inflammatory diseases, there's a higher risk of the medicine destroying your red blood cells.
- Serious allergic reactions (including sudden drop in blood pressure or shock) are rare but possible, even if you have tolerated similar treatments before.
- In very rare cases, this medicine can cause a severe lung injury called TRALI, leading to breathing problems, bluish skin, fever, and low blood pressure, typically 1-6 hours after infusion.
Show 7 more warnings
- Sometimes, this medicine can temporarily lower your white blood cell count, which usually gets better on its own within 1-2 weeks.
- Even with strict safety steps, there's a very small risk of infection from human blood or plasma products, including new or unknown viruses.
- This medicine can make some live vaccines (like measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox) less effective for up to a year. Wait at least 3 months after receiving this medicine before getting such a vaccine.
- Always tell the person taking your blood sample or your doctor that you have received this medicine, as it can affect some blood test results.
- If you measure your blood sugar, use a method that is specific for glucose, as this medicine contains maltose which can cause incorrect high readings on some blood sugar meters. Do not use meters based on GDH PQQ or glucose-dye oxidoreductase.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine, as its safety during pregnancy has not been fully studied.
- This medicine usually does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you experience side effects, wait until they disappear before driving or operating machinery.