Privigen (Immune Globulin IV) for Immune Thrombocytopenia

Privigen (immune globulin intravenous [human]) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat low platelet counts in people aged 15 years and older with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

How Privigen Works and How It’s Taken

Privigen is an immune globulin medicine given through a vein. It supplies immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. The exact way Privigen works is not fully known. It may affect how the immune system works.

In ITP, this helps reduce immune system activity that lowers platelet counts.

Doctors may prescribe Privigen for people aged 15 years and older with chronic ITP, to help raise platelet counts. ITP is a condition that can cause low platelet counts. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding.

Privigen is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. For chronic ITP, it is given each day for two days in a row. It is given by a healthcare professional.

Typical Dosing for ITP

The recommended dose of Privigen for ITP is 1 gram per kilogram of body weight each day for two days in a row. This gives a total dose of 2 grams per kilogram.

The recommended starting infusion rate is 0.5 milligrams per kilogram per minute. If tolerated, the rate may be increased up to 4 milligrams per kilogram per minute.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their instructions.

Privigen Side Effects

In clinical studies of Privigen for chronic ITP in people ages 15 years and older, the most common side effects occurred in about 10 percent to 65 percent of people. These side effects were reported during or within 72 hours after an infusion.

Laboratory findings consistent with hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)
Headache
Fever (elevated body temperature)
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Nausea
Vomiting

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Privigen can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Thrombosis — Blood clots, which can block blood flow, can occur.
Renal dysfunction and acute renal failure — Kidney problems can occur.
Hypersensitivity — Severe allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause trouble breathing, low blood pressure, or shock.
Hyperproteinemia, increased serum viscosity, and hyponatremia — High blood protein, thicker blood, and low blood sodium can occur.
Aseptic meningitis syndrome — Noninfectious swelling around the brain and spinal cord, which can cause severe headache, stiff neck, fever, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting, can occur.
Hemolysis and hemolytic anemia — A breakdown of red blood cells can lead to anemia.
Hypertension — Increased blood pressure can occur during treatment.
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) — A serious lung reaction that can cause sudden breathing problems, low oxygen, fever, and fluid in the lungs can occur.
Volume overload — Too much fluid in the body, which can cause swelling or shortness of breath, can occur.
Transmissible infectious agents — Because Privigen is made from human blood, there is a very small risk of infections despite screening and manufacturing steps.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Privigen

CSL Behring, the manufacturer of Privigen, offers Privigen Connect. Privigen Connect’s Copay Support Program helps eligible people with commercial insurance with out-of-pocket expenses for Privigen.

Privigen Connect also offers the Assurance Program for people who lose insurance coverage and a Patient Assistance Program for eligible people who are uninsured or underinsured.

To learn more, visit the Privigen Connect website or call 877-355-4447.

What To Know Before Taking Privigen

Before starting Privigen, your doctor will check your kidney function, including blood tests called blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine.

Your doctor will check the blood pressure before, during, and after the Privigen infusion. This is because high blood pressure can happen during or shortly after the infusion.

Tell your doctor who is giving you the vaccines if you recently received Privigen. Privigen may interfere with the response to live virus vaccines, such as measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to human immune globulin IV or any ingredients in Privigen, including if you have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and antibodies to IgA. Privigen contains trace amounts of IgA.

Privigen is made from human blood. Because of this, it may carry a risk of passing on infectious agents, such as viruses. This risk has been reduced by screening plasma donors, testing donated plasma, and using steps during manufacturing to inactivate or remove certain viruses.

Do not take Privigen if you have had anaphylaxis or a severe systemic reaction to human immune globulin. Do not take Privigen if you have hyperprolinemia. Do not take Privigen if you have IgA deficiency with antibodies to IgA and a history of hypersensitivity.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Privigen is also FDA approved to treat primary humoral immunodeficiency and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Privigen, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Privigen for ITP?

In a clinical study, 57 people with chronic ITP were treated with Privigen. Within seven days after the first infusion, 46 people, or 80.7 percent, had their platelet count rise to at least 50 billion per liter. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding.

The median time to reach a platelet response of more than 50 billion per liter was 2.5 days after the first infusion. Median means the middle number in a group of results. The highest median increase in platelet counts was seen seven days after the first infusion.

Among the 48 people who responded at any time after the first infusion, the median response lasted 15.4 days. This means that for half of these people, the response lasted longer than 15.4 days, and for half, it lasted less than 15.4 days.

How long does Privigen take to work for ITP?

In a clinical study, the median time to reach a platelet response of more than 50 billion per liter was 2.5 days after the first infusion.

By day 2, 25 of 57 people had responded before the second infusion. By day 6, 43 of 57 people had responded. A platelet response means the platelet count rose to a certain level.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Privigen for ITP?

During a Privigen infusion, your healthcare team should monitor your vital signs. Vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature.

If side effects happen during the infusion, the infusion may be slowed or stopped. If symptoms go away quickly, the infusion may be started again at a lower rate that feels comfortable for the person receiving the infusion.

Blood pressure should be checked before, during, and after the Privigen infusion. This is because high blood pressure can happen during or shortly after the infusion.

Your doctor should check kidney function before the first infusion and at certain times after that. This may include BUN and serum creatinine blood tests. These tests help show how well the kidneys are working.

Some people may need blood tests to watch for hemolysis. Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells. These tests may include hemoglobin or hematocrit. For people at higher risk, these may be checked before infusion, within about 36 hours after infusion, and again seven to 10 days after infusion.