What to Do If You Experience a Local Reaction
After HYQVIA infusion a temporary, soft swelling may occur around the infusion site,
which may last 1 to 3 days, due to the volume of fluid infused. Mild or moderate pain,
redness, swelling, or itching may occur at the site of infusion and generally go away
in a few hours. Local reactions are less likely after the first few infusions. Contact your
healthcare professional if a local site reaction increases in severity or persists for more
than a few days.
1,2
Discomfort or pain at the infusion site when inserting the subcutaneous needle
•
Remove the needle because it may be in your muscle.
3
•
Contact your healthcare professional if severe pain does not fade when you remove
the needle or if it happens each time you infuse.
•
Talk to your healthcare professional or specialty pharmacy about changing the
length of your needle; it may be too long for you.
2
•
Note in your infusion log that this site may not work for you.
Discomfort, pain, or redness at the infusion site during or after your infusion
•
Slow or stop the infusion.
3
•
Place a clean, warm or cold compress (post-infusion) as directed by your healthcare
professional on your irritated site.
2,3
•
Talk to your healthcare professional about a possible allergy to your tape or dressing
or the possible use of a mild pain reliever, if recommended.
2,3
Itching or rash at or around the infusion site
•
Place a clean, cold compress as directed by your healthcare professional
on your itchy site. Do not apply cold pack directly to skin.
3
•
When priming the subcutaneous needle, avoid coating the needle with drops
of HYQVIA
[Immune Globulin Infusion 10% (Human) with Recombinant Human
Hyaluronidase] Solution.
2,3
•
Talk to your healthcare professional about the possible use of an over-the-counter
antihistamine, if recommended.
3
•
If you experience hives, swelling in the mouth or throat, itching, trouble breathing,
wheezing, fainting or dizziness, stop your infusion immediately and contact your
healthcare professional or emergency services; these could be signs of a serious
allergic reaction.
3
What to Do If You Experience a General (Systemic) Reaction
In addition to local reactions, the most common side effects of HYQVIA are headache,
fatigue, nausea, fever, and vomiting.
1
Call your healthcare professional or go to your emergency department right away if you get:
•
Bad headache with nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, fever, and sensitivity to light. These
could be signs of swelling in 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, other than at the
infusion site(s). 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, blue lips or extremities. These could be signs of a
lung problem.
Talk to your healthcare professional about any side effects that bother you or that don’t
go away.
1
Whenever giving yourself treatments at home, consider having another responsible
person present to help treat side effects or get help if a serious adverse reaction occurs.
Ask your healthcare professional whether you should have rescue medications, such as
antihistamines or epinephrine available.
3
References: 1.
HYQVIA [Prescribing Information]. Westlake Village, CA: Baxalta US Inc.
2.
Murphy
E, Burton J, Riley P. Nursing approaches to a novel subcutaneous therapy: a look at 4 patients during
transition from IVIg to SCIg.
Infusion
. 2007;13(4)(suppl):1-8.
3.
Younger MEM, ed.
IDF Guide for Nurses
on Immune Globulin Therapy for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
. 3rd ed. Towson, MD: Immune
Deficiency Foundation; 2012.