Octagam (immune globulin intravenous, human) is a type of IVIG medicine used to treat certain conditions involving the immune system. Depending on the condition, it may help replace missing antibodies, support immune function, or calm an overactive immune response. Octagam contains purified antibodies from donated human blood. It is given as an infusion into a vein by a health care provider.
Like all medicines, Octagam can cause side effects and interact with other medicines or substances.
Keep reading to learn about possible Octagam side effects, how to manage them, and which medicines may interact with Octagam. This article does not include all possible side effects or interactions. Tell your health care provider about any symptoms that concern you or do not improve.
Octagam Side Effects
Common side effects
The most common side effects reported with Octagam include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Increased heart rate and/or blood pressure
- Muscle or joint pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, itching, swelling, or redness/discoloration at the infusion site
Serious side effects
While less common, potentially serious side effects of Octagam include:
- Blood clots
- Kidney damage
- Hemolytic anemia
- Fluid in the lungs or lung damage
- Risk of infection
- Inflamed tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Serious allergic reaction
If you have symptoms that feel serious or life-threatening, seek medical care right away.
How to Manage Octagam Side Effects
Like other IVIG treatments, Octagam most commonly causes mild and uncomfortable side effects rather than serious ones. These side effects typically happen during the infusion or within the first hour or so after it starts. These symptoms often go away within a few hours.
Some reactions can happen later, from several hours to about a week after the infusion. These delayed reactions are less common but may be more serious. Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms that are severe, do not go away, or appear after you receive your infusion.
While this is not a complete guide, the sections below cover five possible side effects of Octagam in more detail, including what can be done to help prevent or manage them.
1. Headache
Headache is the most common side effect of Octagam. In studies, headache was reported by 25%-46% of people during the Octagam infusion or within two to three days after the infusion. Common symptoms include mild to moderate head pain or pressure.
Tips to manage headaches include:
- Drink plenty of water the day before your infusion and on each treatment day.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Rest in a dark, quiet area if possible.
An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever may help ease headache pain, but check with your health care provider or pharmacist first to make sure it is safe for you. They may also give you medicines before the infusion to help prevent headaches and other side effects.
While rare, IVIG has been linked to reports of meningitis (inflammation of the tissues covering your brain or spinal cord). If you have an intense, throbbing pain that feels much worse than a typical headache, along with other possible meningitis symptoms, such as a stiff neck and fever, seek medical care right away.
2. Fever
Fever is another common side effect of Octagam. It affected 15%-20% of people using Octagam in studies. It happens when you have a brief rise in body temperature. Symptoms may include chills, feeling cold, shivering, sweating, or flushing.
It may be a good idea to dress in layers for your infusion appointment, in case you get a fever and feel hot or cold.
To help prevent fever, you may be given certain medicines before the infusion. Your health care team will monitor you during and after the infusion. If you become feverish, they may slow or pause your Octagam infusion. They may also give you a fever-reducing medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Make sure you have a thermometer at home in case you need to check your temperature. You should also keep OTC fever medicines at home.
Inform your health care provider right away if you have a fever. Fever can also be a symptom of meningitis or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), which are rare but serious side effects.
3. Nausea
Nausea can be a side effect of Octagam. Nausea is feeling like you might throw up, but it doesn’t always lead to vomiting.
Here are some ways you can help manage nausea:
- Drink plenty of water the day before your infusion and on each treatment day. It can help to choose cool, clear liquids and use a straw to take small sips.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Choose bland foods that are gentle on the stomach, such as crackers, toast, or broth.
- Try ginger chews, sour candies, or mints to help with queasiness.
To help prevent nausea and vomiting, you may be given certain medicines before the infusion. If you feel sick, your health care team may slow or pause your Octagam infusion. They may also give you medicines for nausea. Tell your health care provider if you have severe nausea or vomiting, especially if it happens hours or days after your infusion.
4. Blood clots
Octagam has a boxed warning for blood clots. While uncommon, blood clots can happen with IVIG medicines, including Octagam.
The risk may be higher in older adults, people who cannot move around for long periods, those who use estrogen products, those with a history of blood clots or certain health conditions, and people with central venous catheters.
If you are at risk, your health care provider may give Octagam at the lowest dose and slowest infusion rate. It is also important to make sure you are well hydrated before receiving Octagam.
Tell your health care provider right away or get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a possible blood clot:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
- Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
- Sudden weakness on one side of your body
- Sudden and severe headache
- Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
- Vision loss or double vision
- Bulging eyes
5. Kidney problems
Octagam has a boxed warning for kidney problems, including kidney failure. Serious kidney problems and death have occurred in some people receiving IVIG medicines. The risk may be higher in older adults, people taking medicines that can harm the kidneys, and those who already have kidney problems, diabetes, dehydration, sepsis, or certain blood conditions.
If you are at risk, your health care provider may give Octagam at the lowest dose and infusion rate that works for you, make sure you are well hydrated, and monitor your kidneys.
What to Know About Octagam Interactions
Octagam can interact with certain vaccines and affect some lab test results. Before starting treatment, tell your health care provider about any recent or planned vaccines, blood tests, and all medicines or supplements you use.
Does Octagam interact with vaccines?
Check with your health care provider before receiving vaccines. Octagam may affect how well your body responds to live vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Before getting a live vaccine, talk with your health care provider. You may need to wait at least three months after receiving Octagam before getting a live viral vaccine. Tell your health care provider or vaccine provider if you recently received Octagam.
Does Octagam interact with alcohol?
It is not known if alcohol directly interacts with Octagam, but it is best to avoid alcohol around your infusion days. Staying well hydrated before and during Octagam treatment is important because dehydration can raise the risk of side effects, including kidney problems. Alcohol can make you pee more and lose more fluid through your urine. It may also cause nausea or vomiting, which can make dehydration more likely. In addition, heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.
Can Octagam affect blood tests?
Yes. Octagam contains antibodies that can affect certain blood test results. It can also cause falsely high blood sugar readings with some glucose meters and test strips. Before having blood tests, tell the person drawing your blood and all your health care providers that you are receiving Octagam.
Reducing Your Risk of Side Effects and Interactions
You can help lower your risk of side effects and interactions with Octagam by following all the instructions from your health care provider, including steps to take before and after each infusion.
Other helpful tips include:
- Always tell your pharmacists and other health care providers about all the prescription/ OTC medicines you take, as well as any vitamins, herbs, or other supplements you use.
- Keep all follow-up appointments and lab tests.
- Report any new or worsening symptoms to your health care provider.
Your health care provider can review your treatment plan and make changes, if needed, to help keep Octagam as safe as possible for you.
