Catherine Russo discusses living with Lambert-Eaton
Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) and her MedPro Rx IVIg therapy.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)* is a solution of highly purified immunoglobulin G, derived from large pools of human plasma that contain antibodies against a broad spectrum of bacterial and viral agents. This solution is delivered intravenously and is used primarily to treat three categories of illnesses: immunodeficiencies, autoimmune neuromuscular disorders, and certain rheumatologic conditions.
Note: *IVIg is also known as IGG, IVIG, IGIV, immune globulin, immunoglobulin, immune globulin
intravenous (human) (systemic).
Patients with primary immune deficiencies usually receive treatment therapy for life and patients being treated for autoimmune neuromuscular disorders and rheumatologic conditions tend to receive therapy for a more limited period which may be months or years.
IVIg Products
The Food and Drug Administration has approved IVIg for six conditions, but many other off-label conditions are supported by a consensus of expert opinion. For a comparison of IVIg products, MedPro Rx, Inc., an IVIg Specialty Pharmacy, offers an IVIg Comparison Chart. IVIg manufacturers include Baxter Healthcare, Bio Products Laboratory, Grifols, Octapharma, Talecris Biotherapeutics-USA and CSL Behring. For a current list of the IVIg products marketed in the U.S. and links to these sites,
.What Does IVIg Treat?
IVIg therapy has been used extensively in the treatment and prevention of a variety of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Patients with compromised Immune systems who have these conditions often benefit from the passive immunity provided by IVIg therapy.IVIg is used in patients with primary immunodeficiencies and certain conditions associated with B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Pediatric HIV, and Bone Marrow Transplant. IVIg is also utilized to raise platelet counts in patients with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and to treat the symptoms related to other clinical conditions such as Kawasaki Syndrome.
Various other diseases and immune disorders where IVIg is used include:
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Autoimmune Diabetic Neuropathy
- Polymyositis
- Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN)
- Dermatomyositis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)
- Hypogammaglobulinemia
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
- Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)
- X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
- other connective tissue disorders
.
Our Comprehensive Services Include:
- Prescription Fulfillment: We purchase, store, and distribute products and supplies for use in home care, infusion clinics, or physician's offices in a dependable and timely manner. Through our inventory management, we minimize product (e.g., IVIg and clotting factor) shortages.
- Clinical Expertise: Pharmacists are on call around the clock to monitor dosing compliance and side effects, as well as provide patient counseling and clinician drug information services. A Registered Nurse will always administer the therapy and will remain with the client during the entire infusion.
- Insurance Processing: MedPro Rx manages prescription drug benefit research, claim filing, and collection of reimbursements.
- Dependable Scheduling: We coordinate the case management schedule for specialty injectable services, utilizing highly experienced infusion nurses.
Additional Benefits of Working with MedPro Rx:
- Customized services designed to meet each individual patient's needs
- Clinical outcomes monitoring
- Care options for the home, clinic or physician's office
- Hemophilia Scholarship Program for more information.
- Case Management Coordination
- Clinical Outcomes Monitoring
- Educational Programs/Materials
- Reimbursement Management
- Quality Assurance Expertise
- Experienced Infusion Nurses
- Care Options for Home, Clinic, Physician’s Office, Infusion Suite or
Other Site Service - Related Drugs and Supplies Provided
- Local Service and Support
- Timely Delivery of IVIg to Selected Service Site