WinRho SDF (Rho[D] Immune Globulin Intravenous [Human]) for Immune Thrombocytopenia

WinRho SDF (Rho[D] immune globulin intravenous [human]) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help raise platelet counts in certain children and adults with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

How WinRho SDF Works and How It’s Taken

WinRho SDF is a type of immune globulin. Immune globulins are proteins that help the immune system. WinRho SDF works by attaching to certain red blood cells and changing how the immune system responds. The exact way WinRho SDF works is not fully known.

In ITP, WinRho SDF helps raise platelet counts in certain people. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding.

Doctors prescribe WinRho SDF to raise platelet counts in:

Rho(D)-positive children with chronic or acute ITP who have not had their spleen removed
Rho(D)-positive adults with chronic ITP who have not had their spleen removed
Rho(D)-positive children and adults with ITP linked to HIV infection who have not had their spleen removed

WinRho SDF is given as an intravenous (IV) injection. It is usually given over three to five minutes. It may be given as one dose or as divided doses on two separate days in a healthcare setting. People are closely monitored for at least eight hours after the treatment.

Typical Dosing for ITP

The recommended starting dose of WinRho SDF for ITP depends on a person’s hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The dose is based on body weight.

For people with hemoglobin of 10 grams per deciliter or higher, the recommended starting dose is 250 international units per kilogram, or 50 micrograms per kilogram.
For people with hemoglobin from 8 grams per deciliter to less than 10 grams per deciliter, the recommended starting dose is lower. It is 125 to 200 international units per kilogram, or 25 to 40 micrograms per kilogram.

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

WinRho SDF Side Effects

In clinical studies of WinRho SDF for ITP, the most common side effects occurred in about 4 percent to 11 percent of people. These include:

Chills
Fever
Headache
Weakness (asthenia)
Dizziness

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

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

Hypersensitivity — Severe allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause trouble breathing, low blood pressure, or shock.
Intravascular hemolysis (IVH) — Rapid breakdown of red blood cells in the bloodstream can lead to severe anemia, organ failure, or death.
Severe anemia — A major drop in red blood cells, which can be clinically dangerous, can occur.
Acute kidney (renal) failure — Sudden loss of kidney function can occur.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) — A serious blood-clotting problem that can cause dangerous bleeding and clots can occur.
Thromboembolic events — Blood clots in a vein or artery can occur.
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) — A serious lung reaction that can cause sudden breathing problems can occur.
Transmissible infectious agents — Human plasma products carry a very small risk of transmitting viruses and, theoretically, the agent that causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

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

What To Know Before Taking WinRho SDF

Before starting WinRho SDF for ITP, your doctor will do tests for your blood type, blood count, reticulocyte count, direct antiglobulin test, and urine dipstick test.

WinRho SDF may affect how well some live vaccines work. These include measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines. You should not get live vaccines within three months after getting WinRho SDF.

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to human immune globulin products or to any ingredient in WinRho SDF. Also tell your doctor if you have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency or a corn allergy. WinRho SDF contains maltose, which comes from corn.

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

Do not use WinRho SDF for ITP if you:

Have autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pre-existing hemolysis, or a high risk for hemolysis
Have IgA deficiency with antibodies to IgA
Have had a severe allergic reaction to human immune globulin products
Have had a hypersensitivity reaction to WinRho SDF or any of its ingredients
Have Rh-negative blood
Have had your spleen removed

WinRho SDF is also FDA approved to help prevent Rh isoimmunization in certain Rho(D)-negative people. It should not be given to infants for this use.

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

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is WinRho SDF for ITP?

In studies of people with ITP who were Rho(D)-positive and had not had their spleen removed, WinRho SDF helped raise platelet counts in many people.

In one study of children with chronic ITP, 19 out of 24 children responded. This means their platelet counts rose enough to meet the study’s response goal. Their average highest platelet count was 229,400 per cubic millimeter, and the average response lasted 36.5 days.

In one study of adults with chronic ITP, 21 out of 24 adults responded. Their average highest platelet count was 92,300 per cubic millimeter.

Platelet counts usually start to rise within 1 to 2 days after treatment. They usually reach their highest level within seven to 14 days after treatment starts.

How long does WinRho SDF take to work for ITP?

Platelet counts usually start to rise within one to two days after treatment starts. They usually reach their highest level within seven to 14 days.

In one study of children with acute ITP, platelet counts rose to 20,000 per cubic millimeter or higher in an average of 1.9 days. They rose to 50,000 per cubic millimeter or higher in an average of 2.8 days. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding.

What tests or monitoring are needed with WinRho SDF for ITP?

For ITP, people should be closely watched in a healthcare setting for at least eight hours after getting WinRho SDF.

Before treatment, doctors may do tests. These include:

Blood type
Blood count
Reticulocyte count, which checks young red blood cells
Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
Urine dipstick test

Urine dipstick testing is done at the start, then at two hours, four hours, and before the end of the monitoring period. This checks for blood or hemoglobin in the urine.

If a person has signs of intravascular hemolysis, also called IVH, doctors may do more tests. These may include blood count, haptoglobin, plasma hemoglobin, kidney function, liver function, and blood-clotting tests for DIC.