Human Immunoglobulin G
Human immunoglobulin G is an antibody replacement therapy used to treat primary humoral immunodeficiency and, in select products, chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand
The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 5 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾
Blood clots and kidney failure are serious risks with IV immune globulin products. Blood clots (thrombosis) can occur in arteries or veins and have happened even in people with no known risk factors. People at highest risk include older adults, those who are immobile for long periods, have a history of clots, use estrogen-containing medicines, or have cardiovascular risk factors. Kidney damage — including acute kidney failure — can also occur, especially in people with existing kidney problems, diabetes, those over 65, those who are dehydrated, or those taking other medicines that affect the kidneys. To reduce these risks, the dose and infusion rate should be kept as low as safely possible, and patients should be well hydrated before receiving the infusion. Watch for warning signs of a clot (sudden pain, swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath) or kidney problems (decreased urination, swelling, unusual fatigue) and seek immediate medical attention if they occur.
📖 Human Immunoglobulin G: Patient Information Guide
A plain-language walkthrough of Human Immunoglobulin G — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.
🎯What it's used for▾
Human immunoglobulin G is an antibody replacement therapy approved across several products for immune and blood disorders. Specific approvals vary by brand, route, and patient age.
- Primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) — approved for Privigen, Asceniv (adults and children ≥2 years), Hizentra, Qivigy (adults), and Gammaplex. PI includes congenital agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), X-linked agammaglobulinemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiencies.
- Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) — Privigen (intravenous) is approved to raise platelet counts in patients with this condition.
- Measles post-exposure prevention — Qivigy and Asceniv are approved for use after exposure to measles (and before expected exposure in eligible patients), as a specific protective measure.
⚙️How it works▾
Human immunoglobulin G works by directly supplying a wide range of IgG antibodies — the proteins your immune system normally makes to recognize and neutralize bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins. In people with primary immunodeficiency, the body cannot make enough of these antibodies on its own; replacing them with donated human IgG restores immune protection. Adequate doses can bring an abnormally low IgG level back into the normal range. The exact mechanism by which high-dose IgG raises platelet counts in ITP is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve modifying how the immune system targets platelets.
💊How it's taken▾
The dose and how often you receive it depends on the product, your condition, and your prescriber's assessment — always follow their instructions and the product labeling exactly. IV products (Privigen, Asceniv, Qivigy, Gammaplex) are infused into a vein, typically every 3 to 4 weeks. Hizentra is infused under the skin and is usually given weekly, starting one week after the last IV infusion.
- IV infusions are usually started at a slow rate and increased gradually if tolerated.
- Hizentra subcutaneous infusions are given at the abdomen, thigh, upper arm, and/or lateral hip — up to 4 sites at once.
- If you miss a dose of Qivigy, take it as soon as possible and then resume your regular schedule.
- Do not adjust your dose or schedule without talking to your care team.
🤒Side effects — in detail▾
The most common side effects reported in clinical studies include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
- Pain (joint, back, infusion-site, or general)
- Stomach discomfort or diarrhea
- Hives (urticaria)
Serious reactions — including severe allergic reactions, blood clots, kidney injury, hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown), aseptic meningitis, and a serious lung reaction called TRALI — require immediate medical attention. Contact your care team or call emergency services if you experience sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain, leg swelling, severe headache with stiff neck, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
- Blood clots (thrombosis): Can occur even without known risk factors. Risk is higher in older adults, people who are immobile, have clotting disorders, cardiovascular disease, or use estrogen. Use the lowest dose and slowest infusion rate possible; stay well hydrated.
- Kidney injury: Acute kidney failure has occurred, especially in people with existing kidney problems, diabetes, those over 65, or those who are dehydrated. Kidney function should be monitored before and after infusions.
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis): Can occur. Medications to treat allergic reactions should always be available during infusion. Stop the infusion immediately if a reaction occurs.
- Aseptic meningitis syndrome: A non-infectious brain inflammation that can occur, especially with high doses or rapid infusion. Symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, and light sensitivity. It usually resolves when the drug is stopped.
- Hemolysis: Breakdown of red blood cells can occur, more likely at high doses or in people with non-O blood type. Monitor for pallor, rapid heart rate, or dark urine.
- TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury): Severe breathing difficulty can develop within 1–6 hours of infusion. Stop the infusion immediately and seek emergency care.
- Infectious agent transmission: Made from donated human plasma, so carries a small risk of transmitting viruses or other agents, despite screening and inactivation steps.
🔀What it interacts with▾
Human immunoglobulin G can interact with certain vaccines and medications — and can affect lab test results:
- Live attenuated vaccines (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella): IgG can temporarily block the vaccine from working properly. Tell any provider giving you a vaccine that you are on this therapy.
- Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide): Using these water pills at the same time as IV IgG may thicken the blood further and increase the risk of dangerous blood clots — avoid this combination if possible.
- Serological (blood antibody) tests: Passively transferred antibodies can cause false-positive results in certain blood tests, including the direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test. Inform lab staff and your care team.
This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
📋Before taking it▾
- Do not use if you have had a severe allergic reaction to human immune globulin or any ingredient in the product.
- Hizentra is contraindicated if you have hyperprolinemia (a condition affecting amino acid metabolism) — it contains L-proline as a stabilizer.
- IgA-deficient patients with anti-IgA antibodies and a history of hypersensitivity should not use these products.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, or a history of blood clots — you may need extra monitoring or a lower dose.
- Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated, on prolonged bed rest, use estrogen-containing medicines, or have a central venous catheter.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines, especially loop diuretics or drugs that can affect the kidneys.
- Pregnancy: It is not known whether these products can harm an unborn baby. Use only if clearly needed.
- Breastfeeding: Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Children: Asceniv is approved for ages 2 and older. Safety and effectiveness in children under 2 have not been established for Asceniv. Privigen has been studied in patients as young as 3.
- Older adults (over 65): Start at a lower dose and use the slowest infusion rate practical; kidney and heart function are often reduced with age.
🚑If you take too much▾
With intravenous administration, too much immune globulin can lead to fluid overload (too much fluid in the body) and hyperviscosity (blood that is too thick). Older adults and people with heart or kidney problems are at greatest risk of complications from these effects. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose.
📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾
Human immunoglobulin G preparations contain mainly IgG antibodies with a broad range of activity against infectious agents, reflecting the antibody profile of the donor plasma pool — which comes from at least 1,000 donors. The IgG subclass distribution is similar to that found in normal human plasma. At adequate doses, these products can restore an abnormally low IgG level back to the normal range, providing measurable immune protection.
🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾
Based on data from Privigen clinical studies, IgG has a median half-life of about 36–37 days, meaning it takes over a month for the body to clear roughly half of a given dose — which is why infusions are typically needed only every 3 to 4 weeks. IgG levels peak shortly after the infusion and gradually decline until the next dose. Clearance rates appear similar in males and females, and in adolescents compared to adults. Formal pharmacokinetic studies were not conducted for the ITP indication.
📦How to store it▾
stored at room temperature (up to 25°C ), Hizentra is stable for up to 30 months, as indicated by the expiration date printed on the outer carton and vial label. DO NOT FREEZE.
📄 Written from Human Immunoglobulin G’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →
🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Human Immunoglobulin G — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.
What exactly is human immunoglobulin G and why do I need it? ▾
How is it given, and how often will I need infusions? ▾
What side effects should I expect, and when do I need to call my doctor? ▾
Can I get vaccines while I'm on this medicine? ▾
Are there any special precautions if I'm older or have kidney disease? ▾
Is it safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? ▾
Is Human Immunoglobulin G available over the counter? ▾
When was Human Immunoglobulin G first available? ▾
Who makes Human Immunoglobulin G? ▾
💬 Answers drafted from Human Immunoglobulin G’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →
🧰 Keep exploring
💊 How Human Immunoglobulin G comes
Human Immunoglobulin G is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Injection
How this form is used
- Privigen (intravenous) treats primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) and chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Asceniv (intravenous) treats primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) in adults and children 2 years and older
- Gammaplex (intravenous) treats primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI)
- Qivigy (intravenous) treats primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI) in adults; Hizentra (subcutaneous) treats primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI)
- Privigen and Asceniv are for intravenous use only; Hizentra is for subcutaneous (under-the-skin) use only — do not inject Hizentra into a blood vessel
- Hizentra subcutaneous infusions are typically given weekly; IV products (Privigen, Asceniv, Qivigy, Gammaplex) are generally given every 3 to 4 weeks
- Qivigy: if a dose is missed, give it as soon as possible and then resume the regular 3- or 4-week schedule
- Hizentra: start treatment 1 week after the last IV immune globulin infusion, after at least 3 months of regular IV therapy
Show 1 more strength Show fewer strengths
📊 Human Immunoglobulin G across the U.S. market
How Human Immunoglobulin G appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.
Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.
📈 How widely Human Immunoglobulin G is used
A general measure of how commonly Human Immunoglobulin G is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.
Think of this as a proxy for how widely Human Immunoglobulin G is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.
How commonly is Human Immunoglobulin G prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Human Immunoglobulin G ranks #586 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 63% of them.
Utilization by Human Immunoglobulin G product
Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.
50 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - slra 100 MG/ML Injection Most dispensed
Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2123037
100 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/ML Injection
Summed across the 1 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1809421
50 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/ML Injection
Summed across the 1 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1809414
Other Human Immunoglobulin G products — combination packs and listings not yet matched to a specific clinical product (kept visible so every prescription is accounted for)
Summed across the 17 of 21 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity.
Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.
Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Human Immunoglobulin G, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 20 of 31 listed Human Immunoglobulin G NDCs with Medicaid activity.
🔍 Compare Human Immunoglobulin G products
A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Human Immunoglobulin G — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)
| Strength | Route | Manufacturer / Labeler | Category ⓘ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💊Injection | ||||
| 5 g/50 mL | Intravenous | ADMA Biologics, Inc. × 3 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 5 g/50 mL | Intravenous | Bio Products Laboratory Limited × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 5 g/100 mL | Intravenous | Bio Products Laboratory Limited × 3 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 5 g/50 mL | Intravenous | Bio Products Laboratory Ltd | BLA | View NDC → |
| 0.2 g/mL | Subcutaneous | CSL Behring AG × 14 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 5 g/50 mL | Intravenous | CSL Behring AG × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 10 g/100 mL | Intravenous | CSL Behring AG × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 20 g/200 mL | Intravenous | CSL Behring AG × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 40 g/400 mL | Intravenous | CSL Behring AG × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 100 mg/mL | Intravenous | GC Biopharma Corp. × 3 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
| 5 g/50 mL | Intravenous | Kedrion S.p.A. × 2 listings | BLA | View NDC → |
Showing 36 of 36 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 36 Human Immunoglobulin G NDCs →
📈 What people report — real-world data (FDA FAERS)
After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Human Immunoglobulin G — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Human Immunoglobulin G in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
🏛️ The road to your pharmacy
How Human Immunoglobulin G went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.
Source: Drugs@FDA.
🚨 Recall history
A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.
Source: openFDA drug enforcement (recall) reports.
RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength
This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.
RxCUI 5666 3 dose forms · 57 strengths
-
Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 204569In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) human 160 MG/MLRxCUI 142061 -
Dose form (SCDF) Injection RxCUI 1809031In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) human 10000 MGRxCUI 1809736human 2500 MGRxCUI 1809745human 3000 MGRxCUI 1809206human 5000 MGRxCUI 1809728human 6000 MGRxCUI 18092182 ML immunoglobulin G, human 180 MG/MLRxCUI 18090325 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - klhw 200 MG/MLRxCUI 21962925 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 18090766 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216714710 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 210243510 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216715810 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - klhw 200 MG/MLRxCUI 219639010 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 180943410 ML immunoglobulin G, human 180 MG/MLRxCUI 180903710 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 180906810 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 180942712 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216715620 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216716020 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - klhw 200 MG/MLRxCUI 219649020 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 180949720 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 180906620 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 180964224 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216716225 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 210245525 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 180943840 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 181342348 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - hipp 165 MG/MLRxCUI 216716450 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - dira 100 MG/MLRxCUI 270638650 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 210245950 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - kthm 100 MG/MLRxCUI 272601650 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - slra 100 MG/MLRxCUI 212303750 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - stwk 100 MG/MLRxCUI 267209850 ML immune globulin subcutaneous (human) - klhw 200 MG/MLRxCUI 219649250 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 180941450 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 180906150 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 1809447100 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - dira 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2706395100 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2102463100 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - kthm 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2726025100 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - stwk 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2672107100 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 1809421100 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 1809456200 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - dira 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2706397200 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2102469200 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - stwk 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2672109200 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 1809444200 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 1809463300 ML immune globulin intravenous (human) - ifas 100 MG/MLRxCUI 2102471300 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 1809539400 ML immunoglobulin G, human 100 MG/MLRxCUI 1809524400 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 1809474500 ML immunoglobulin G, human 50 MG/MLRxCUI 1809651 -
Dose form (SCDF) Prefilled Syringe RxCUI 2268102No current FDA listingClinical drug / strength (SCD) 5 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 226810310 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 226810820 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 228715850 ML immunoglobulin G, human 200 MG/MLRxCUI 2670628
Look up RxCUI 5666 in the RxCUI Atlas →
RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.
📦 Supply & shortage status
Whether Human Immunoglobulin G is in short supply in the U.S. right now, plus any shortage history the FDA has on record. A shortage usually reflects a manufacturing or demand issue — not a safety problem with the drug.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
🏷️ Sold under these brand names
🏭 Manufacturers & labelers
RxNorm drug class
Human Immunoglobulin G belongs to the Human Immunoglobulin G class.
Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.
🔬 Where this comes from
Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.
How we combine label and product data
HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 5 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.
For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Kedrion S.p.A. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.
This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.