Octagam drug: Uses, indications and cautions when using

This is an automatically translated article.

Octagam is an immune system booster that helps reduce the risk of infection in people with weakened immune systems. In addition, Octagam is used to increase platelet counts in people with certain blood disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

1. What does Octagam do?

Octagam works to help strengthen the body's immune system to reduce the risk of infection in people with weakened immune systems. Octagam is made from healthy human blood that has high levels of antibodies (defensive substances), which help fight infection.
Octagam is also used to increase platelet counts in people with certain blood disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura-ITP. Platelets are needed to stop bleeding and form blood clots. Some immunoglobulin medicinal products may also be used to treat certain types of muscle weakness problems (such as multifocal motor neurone disease) or a neurological disorder (polyneuropathy). chronic demyelinating menopause (CIDP). Certain products may also be used to prevent certain blood vessel disorders in people with Kawasaki syndrome.

2. How to use Octagam

Octagam is used by subcutaneous injection or slow intravenous injection as directed by your doctor. Dosage and frequency depend on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment. If you are self-medicating at home, learn all preparation and use instructions from a healthcare professional. Before use, inspect this product visually for lumps or discoloration.
Use Octagam medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Never increase the dose or abuse the drug for longer than prescribed. This not only makes the condition improve faster, but also increases the risk of unwanted effects.

3. Undesirable effects when using Octagam

Some unwanted effects that may occur when using Octagam include:
Headache Dizziness Nausea, vomiting, Chills Muscle cramps Back pain, joint pain Fever At injection site: pain, redness or swelling High blood pressure Serious side effects such as: Easy bleeding, fainting, fast heartbeat, unusual tiredness,... Infection: Possible but very rare because the drug is made from the serum of people strong. Therefore, when you see unusual signs such as sore throat, persistent fever, yellow eyes/skin or dark urine, immediately notify a medical staff. Meningitis syndrome: May occur from a few hours to 2 days after treatment. Get medical help right away if you have severe headache, stiff neck, high fever, drowsiness, sensitivity to light, headache or severe nausea,... Lung problems: Rare but can occur 1 - 6 hours after treatment. Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits of Octagam to outweigh the risk of side effects. However, some cases when using Ocutabs can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when you see unusual signs, especially when an allergic reaction occurs with accompanying symptoms such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, throat, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, etc. .. In this case, the patient should immediately notify the medical staff for immediate intervention.

4. Some notes when using Octagam

Some notes when using Octagam include:
Allergic history to Octagam, other immunoglobulin products such as CMV IgG or any other allergies. Medicinal products may contain inactive ingredients and may cause allergic reactions or other serious problems. Report special medical history such as certain immune system problems (immunoglobulin A deficiency, monoclonal gammopathy), diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood fats, migraines headaches, blood infections, kidney disease, dehydration, etc. Do not drive or use machines or do any work that requires alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, etc. As they can make dizziness worse. Some immunoglobulin products should not be used by people with certain genetic metabolic problems such as intolerance to fructose, sucrose, etc. Some immunoglobulin products are made from maltose. This substance can cause falsely high blood sugar when blood sugar is normal or possibly even low. If you have diabetes, check with your pharmacist if the product you are using contains maltose and whether your blood sugar test kits are suitable for this product. Rarely, serious problems can occur when too much insulin is injected due to a falsely high blood sugar reading or when low blood sugar is left untreated. Octagam medicine can prevent a good response to some live virus vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella,... If you have recently had any of these vaccines, your doctor can You may need to get tested for a reaction or get vaccinated again later. If you're planning on getting any of these vaccines, your doctor will guide you on the best time to get them most effective. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the medicinal products you are taking including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. other medicine. Elderly people need to be careful when using Octagam, because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the effect on the kidneys. During pregnancy and lactation, Octagam should be used only when clearly needed. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of the drug. Some tests need to be done before using Octagam or during use such as blood count test, liver and kidney function test, blood pressure, urine test,... If you forget a dose Octagam drug, immediately notify the medical staff to be supplemented or have a new dosing schedule. Absolutely do not use more than double the dose than the treatment regimen. Using an overdose of Octagam can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, weakness,...

5. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can reduce the effect of Octagam, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell your doctor about all other medicinal products you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent.
Some products that may interact with Octagam include:
Aminoglycosides: Gentamicin Diuretics such as furosemide,... Octagam may interfere with certain tests including some blood sugar tests , blood group and lead to incorrect results. This can have serious consequences and even death. Therefore, tell laboratory medical staff and doctors that you are using Octagam.

6. How to store Octagam

Store Octagam at room temperature, away from moisture and light. Do not store Octagam in a humid place or in the freezer. Each medicine will have different storage methods, so read the Octagam storage instructions on the package carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep Octagam out of the reach of children and family pets. When medicine is past its expiry date or cannot be used anymore, dispose of it properly. Do not arbitrarily dispose of Octagam into the environment such as water pipes or toilets unless requested. Ask your waste disposal company or pharmacist for advice on how to safely dispose of Octagam to help protect the environment.
In summary, Octagam is an immune system booster that reduces the risk of infection in people with weakened immune systems. In addition, Octagam is used to increase platelet counts in people with certain blood disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. However, Octagam can cause some unwanted effects and drug interactions, so tell your doctor what medicinal products you are taking to reduce the risk of side effects and increase the effectiveness of the treatment. treatment course.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: webmd.com