Vaccinia Immune Globulin Injection

VACCINIA IMMUNE GLOBULIN (vax IN ee ah im YOON GLOB yoo lin) treats infections caused by vaccinia (smallpox). It works by helping your immune system learn how to fight off an infection.

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by a care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 16 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Fever, neck pain or stiffness, sensitivity to light, headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion
• Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Lung injury—shortness of breath or trouble breathing, cough, spitting up blood, chest pain, fever

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Tremors or shaking

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blood clots
• Dehydration
• Diabetes (high blood sugar)
• Heart disease
• IgA deficiency
• Isolated vaccinia keratitis
• Kidney disease
• Recent or upcoming vaccine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to vaccinia immune globulin (VIG), human immunoglobulin products, sucrose, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

• Some vaccines

This does not apply.

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

This medication can decrease the response to a vaccine. If you need a vaccine, tell your care team if you have received this medication within the last 3 months. Extra booster doses may be needed. Talk to your care team to see if a different vaccination schedule is needed.

This medication is made from human blood. Talk to your care team about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication can interfere with certain blood glucose monitoring devices. Talk with your care team to verify your glucose monitor works as it should with this medication.