What is Hepatitis B immune?
Hepatitis B Immune globulin made from human blood contains proteins that protect against type B hepatitis.Hepatitis B immunoglobulin can be used to prevent hepatitis B in people who are receiving a liver transplant and in babies born to mothers with hepatitis B. The hepatitis B immune globulin is used to prevent the spread of hepatitis B to people who have had contaminated blood products or sexual contact with infected persons, as well as to babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis-B immune globulins are not vaccines. It will not protect you from hepatitis B for a long time. You must get a hepatitis B vaccination such as Recombivax HB or Twinrix to receive long-term protection.Hepatitis B immunoglobulin can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Hepatitis B immune globulin
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat and/or difficulty swallowingHepatitis B Immune Globulin may cause serious adverse side effects.
If you experience:
- Fever; mouth sores or reddened gums.
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Liver problems: upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, and clay-colored stools. Jaundice.
- If you feel light-headed, short-of-breath, or have chest pains, there may be fluid around your lungs.
- Blood clots or stroke symptoms include sudden numbness, weakness, and chest pain. Other symptoms are rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, blood in the cough, or swelling or redness of your arms or legs.
Hepatitis B immune globulin side effects may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- Tiredness;
- Memory problems, agitation, and vision problems.
- A sore throat, symptoms of a cold include a stuffy nose and sneezing.
- Is it mild or is it a rash?
- Pain, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Reaching out to the FDA can be done easily at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
HepaGam B, BayHep B, HepaGam Nova Plus, and Nabi-HB
Warnings
Hepatitis B Immune globulin can increase your risk of a blood clot, especially if you have had heart problems or blood clots in the past, are older, bedridden, take hormone replacement or birth control pills, or use certain types of catheters.If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, blood in your cough, or any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to it, do not take hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
Hepatitis-B immune globulin can increase your risk of blood clots. This is especially true if you:
- Heart disease Coronary artery disease, history of blood clots
- Risk factors for coronary heart disease include menopause and smoking. Other risk factors are being overweight or obese, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history, and being older.
- If you must use a blood thinner,
- If you are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy,
- If you use certain types of catheters
- If you are bedridden or in any other way debilitated,
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that hepatitis B immunoglobulin is right for you:
- An allergy to immune globulins in humans
- Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder or disorder of blood clotting.
Hepatitis-B immune globulins are made from plasma (a part of the blood), which can contain viruses and infectious agents. Plasma donated is treated and tested to reduce the possibility of it being infected, but it is still possible that it can transmit disease. Speak to your doctor about any risks or benefits associated with using this medication.FDA pregnancy class C There is no information on whether hepatitis B immunoglobulin can harm a baby in utero. If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, be sure to inform your physician.It is unknown if hepatitis B immunoglobulin can pass into breast milk or if it will harm a baby who is nursing. You should tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding a child.
How to take Hepatitis B immune globulin?
Hepatitis-B Immunoglobulin can be injected through an infusion machine into a muscle or a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare professional.Hepatitis-B immune globulin should be given as soon after exposure as possible, and preferably within seven days. The booster is given 24 hours after the first dose. When you begin treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin, your doctor may recommend a hepatitis B vaccination.Hepatitis-B immune globulin for liver transplants is administered as part of the procedure and continues to be given several weeks or even months later. Patients are usually administered the medication every day for seven days, every two weeks for 11 weeks, and then monthly thereafter.Hepatitis-B immune globulin can be given in a single dose to prevent infection after sexual contact. This should take place within 14 days of the last contact. If you plan to continue having contact with an infected individual, you should receive a hepatitis B vaccination.
Hepatitis B Immune globulin is recommended for prevention among people living in the same home as an infected individual. This includes infants under 12 months, caregivers that may come in contact with blood from the infected, and those who share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items. Hepatitis B vaccination may be required for household members.If the mother is infected with Hepatitis B, this medicine should be given to her baby within 12 hours of birth or as soon as it is medically stable.
The baby should receive the hepatitis B vaccination, which comes in three shots.
- The first hepatitis B vaccination is given to a child when they are 7 days old. Booster shots are given one month and six months after the initial hepatitis B vaccination.
- A second dose of hepatitis-B immune globulin is required if the baby has not received the first hepatitis-B vaccine by the time he reaches the age of three months.
- The schedule for your child may differ from the guidelines. You can follow your doctor's advice or the schedule set by the health department in the state where you live.
- If the baby is not given the hepatitis B vaccination, a second dose and a third dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin should be administered 3 and 6 months after the first. Please follow your doctor's advice.
You may need to have frequent blood tests while using hepatitis B immunoglobulin.It can produce unusual results in certain lab tests that measure glucose levels (sugar). Inform any doctor that treats you about your use of hepatitis-B immune globulin.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your appointment for hepatitis-B immune globulin, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdoses are unlikely because this medication is administered by a health professional in a medical environment.
What should be avoided?
You should not receive a live vaccine for 3 months following the end of your treatment. The vaccine might not protect you as well and work less effectively during this period. Live vaccines are available for measles (MMR), rubella, mumps (MMR), yellow fever, typhoid (typhoid), varicella, chickenpox, zoster, and influenza (nasal flu).You can receive a safe hepatitis B vaccination during treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also interact with hepatitis B immunoglobulin. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take.
