RABIESIMMUNE GLOBULIN (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• BayRab
• Hyperab
• Imogam Rabies-HT
• Imogam

In Canada?

• Hyperab
• Imogam

Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.

Other commonly used names are HRIGand RIG.

Category

• Immunizing agent, passive

Description

Rabies immune globulin (RAY-beez im-MUNE GLOB-yoo-lin) is usedalong with rabies vaccine to prevent infection caused by the rabies virus.Rabies immune globulin works by giving your body the antibodies it needs toprotect it against the rabies virus. This is called passive protection. Thispassive protection lasts long enough to protect your body until your bodycan produce its own antibodies against the rabies virus.

Rabies immune globulin is given to persons who have been exposed (for example,by a bite, scratch, or lick) to an animal that is known, or thought, to haverabies. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies immune globulin isused only in persons who have never before received the rabies vaccine.

Rabies infection is a serious, and often fatal, infection. In the U.S.,rabies in wild animals, especially raccoons, skunks, and bats, accounts formost cases of rabies passed on to humans, pets, and other domestic animals.In Canada, the animals most often infected with rabies are foxes, skunks,bats, dogs, and cats. Horses, swine, and cattle also have been known to becomeinfected with rabies. In much of the rest of the world, including Latin America,Africa, and Asia, dogs account for most cases of rabies passed on to humans.

If you are being (or will be) treated for a possible rabies infection whiletraveling outside of the U.S. or Canada, contact your doctor as soon as youreturn to the U.S. or Canada, since it may be necessary for you to have additionaltreatment.

Rabies immune globulin is to be administered only by or under the supervisionof your doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the followingdosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Before Receiving This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For rabies immune globulin, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to rabies immune globulin or any other kind of human immuneglobulin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to anyother substances, such as foods, thimerosal or other preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals. However, the use of rabies immune globulin inpregnant women has not been reported to cause problems.

Breast-feeding?Rabies immune globulin has not been reported tocause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of rabies immune globulin in children with use in other age groups, thismedicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in childrenthan it does in adults.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof rabies immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affectthe use of rabies immune globulin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you haveany other medical problems, especially:

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiencies?Rabies immune globulinmay cause an allergic reaction to occur

Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing?The dose of rabies immune globulin will be different for differentpatients. The following information includes only the average dose of rabiesimmune globulin.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For preventing rabies infection:
    • Adults and children?The dose is based on body weight and mustbe determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 20 International Units (IU)per kilogram (kg) (9.1 IU per pound) of body weight. This medicine is injectedinto the buttocks (gluteal) muscle and may also be injected around the areasof any wounds caused by the animal with rabies. This medicine is usually usedon the first day of your rabies treatment along with the first dose of rabiesvaccine. If this medicine is not used on the first day, it may be used anyday up through the seventh day of your rabies treatment.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along withits needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The followingside effects may occur, but usually do not need medical attention.

However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continueor are bothersome:

Less common

Other sideeffects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice anyother effects, check with your doctor.