PI Glossary

You'll hear these words and phrases often.

PI, IG, subQ–there’s a lot to remember. But, once you get familiar with these terms, it’s easier to remember them. 

Toggle Glossary Items

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is a ready-to-use liquid medicine that contains immunoglobulin G, or IgG, antibodies, which protect the body against infection. These antibodies, collected from the plasma of healthy people, replace the missing antibodies in patients with primary immunodeficiency (PI). GAMMAGARD LIQUID is used to treat PI in people 2 years and older.

GAMMAGARD LIQUID temporarily increases the amount of antibodies in your body to fight germs that can make you sick.

Short-term but serious infections that require immediate medical care

Proteins made by the body to help fight infections

Disease or condition that usually lasts for 3 months or longer and may get worse

Helps your body fight infections

Method of administering fluids into the bloodstream (how you get your medicine)

Through a vein

Intravenous immune globulin, which is a therapy to treat PI that is given as an infusion into a vein

Occur on the body where the medicine is given; these generally go away within a few hours and are less likely after the first few infusions

Patient experience in a clinical trial over the course of 1 year. One patient-year is equal to, for example, the experience of 2 patients for 6 months, or 12 patients for 1 month each

A term used to describe a group of mostly genetic disorders that cause the immune system to not work correctly

Under the skin

Happen through the body, such as a headache or feeling tired

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and serious warnings regarding blood clots, decreased kidney function or kidney failure

What is the most important information that I should know about GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

GAMMAGARD LIQUID can cause the following serious reactions: severe allergic reactions causing difficulty in breathing or skin rashes; decreased kidney function or kidney failure; blood clots in the heart, brain, lungs or elsewhere in the body; severe headache, drowsiness, fever, painful eye movements, or nausea and vomiting; dark colored urine, swelling, fatigue, or difficulty breathing.

INDICATION

What is GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is a ready-to-use liquid medicine that is given in a vein (intravenously) or under the skin (subcutaneously) to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in people 2 years and older.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information that I should know about GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

GAMMAGARD LIQUID can cause the following serious reactions:

  • Severe allergic reactions causing difficulty in breathing or skin rashes
  • Decreased kidney function or kidney failure
  • Blood clots in the heart, brain, lungs or elsewhere in the body
  • Severe headache, drowsiness, fever, painful eye movements, or nausea and vomiting
  • Dark colored urine, swelling, fatigue, or difficulty breathing

Who should not use GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

Do not use GAMMAGARD LIQUID if you:

  • Have had a severe allergic reaction to immune globulin or other blood products.
  • Have a condition called selective (or severe) immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency.

What should I avoid while taking GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

  • GAMMAGARD LIQUID can make vaccines (like measles/mumps/rubella or chickenpox vaccines) not work as well for you. Before you get any vaccines, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) that you take GAMMAGARD LIQUID.
  • Tell your HCP if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or if you are nursing.

What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of GAMMAGARD LIQUID?

GAMMAGARD LIQUID can cause serious side effects. If any of the following problems occur after starting GAMMAGARD LIQUID, stop the infusion immediately and contact your HCP or call emergency services:

  • Hives, swelling in the mouth or throat, itching, trouble breathing, wheezing, fainting or dizziness. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
  • Bad headache with nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, fever, and sensitivity to light. These could be signs of irritation and swelling of the lining around your brain.
  • Reduced urination, sudden weight gain, or swelling in your legs. These could be signs of a kidney problem.
  • Pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or a lump in your legs or arms. These could be signs of a blood clot.
  • Brown or red urine, fast heart rate, yellow skin or eyes. These could be signs of a liver or blood problem.
  • Chest pain or trouble breathing, or blue lips or extremities. These could be signs of a serious heart or lung problem.
  • Fever over 100°F. This could be a sign of an infection.

The following one or more possible reactions may occur at the site of infusion of GAMMAGARD LIQUID for PI, generally go away within a few hours, and are less likely after the first few infusions:

  • Mild or moderate pain
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Bruising
  • Warmth

During the infusion of GAMMAGARD LIQUID for PI, look out for the first signs of the following common side effects:

  • Headache
  • Migraine
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Itching
  • Rashes/hives
  • Cough
  • Chest pain/tightness
  • Chills/shaking chills
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Faster heart rate
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Muscle cramps
  • Sore throat

These are not all the possible side effects. Talk to your HCP about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

For additional safety information including Warning about Blood Clots, Decreased Kidney Function, and Kidney Failure, click for Information for Patients and discuss with your HCP.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.