ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is an effective treatment in patients with different diseases. This product must comply with all the regulatory requirements established by the World Health Organization and the European Pharmacopoeia for clinical tolerance, therapeutic efficacy, and viral safety. Although IVIG are effective and safe products, in some patients they may cause adverse reactions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical tolerance of two pharmaceutical forms (lyophilized and liquid) of Imunoglobulina G Endovenosa UNC (IVIG UNC), a regional IVIG preparation, and to compare the reported data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pharmacovigilance reports of 149 infusions in 51 patients treated with lyophilized IVIG UNC and of 157 infusions in 53 patients treated with liquid IVIG UNC were statistically evaluated. Clinical tolerance was evaluated through the adverse reactions reported. RESULTS: Lyophilized IVIG UNC: adverse reactions were reported in 6.7 % of the total number of infusions. Of these reactions, 4.0 % were mild, 2.0 % were moderate, and 0.7 % severe. Liquid IVIG UNC: adverse reactions were reported in 3.2 % of the total number of infusions; of these, 1.3 % were mild, 1.9 % were moderate, and 0.0 % were severe. Statistical analysis showed no association between tolerance and the pharmaceutical form used (p > 0.05) and indicated similar tolerance for both preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained, the excellent clinical tolerance of both pharmaceutical forms of IVIG UNC can be confirmed.
Subject(s)
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Argentina , Autoimmune Diseases/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Freeze Drying , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/adverse effects , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/chemistry , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/therapy , Infant , Infusions, Intravenous , Male , Middle Aged , Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/therapy , Powders , Product Surveillance, Postmarketing , Retrospective Studies , SolutionsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intravenous immunoglobulin preparations are an effective therapy in several processes: primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases and allergies, among others. This biological medicine must comply with three conditions: clinical tolerance, therapeutic efficacy and viral safety. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy, clinical tolerance and viral safety of a regional intravenous immunoglobulin, manufactured by the Hemoderivatives Laboratory of the National University of Cordoba in Argentina (Inmunoglobulina G Endovenosa UNC), with plasma obtained from voluntary, unremunerated donors from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pharmacovigilance records of 448 infusions in 111 patients with different diseases were statistically evaluated. Clinical tolerance was evaluated by recording of adverse events, therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by taking into account the specific parameters of each disease, and viral safety was evaluated by analysis of serological markers of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses before and after infusion. RESULTS: Adverse effects were observed in 4.6 % of total infusions, of which 3.1 % were mild, 1.3 were moderate and 0.2 % were severe. The therapeutic efficacy of the product was recorded in all diseases in which it was administered. Regarding viral safety, no seroconversions were registered in any of the records evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that Inmunoglobulina G Endovenosa UNC is well tolerated, with good therapeutic efficacy and viral safety.