Many people can receive immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy at home with the support of a nurse. Talk to your doctor to find out if this is an option for you. Someone will need to stay with you through the whole infusion. This person will be on standby in case you have serious side effects and need to call your doctor or 911.
Your Coram® CVS Specialty® Infusion Services (Coram) nurse will infuse or teach you how to infuse your Ig depending on how it’s given. They’ll teach you how to trouble shoot any problems. Your nurse will also review what side effects to watch for and how to manage them.
To help you stay prepared, here are the basic steps for Ig infusions. Review them with your doctor or nurse.
Intravenous immunoglobulin or IVIg
In most cases, your nurse will infuse your IVIg. In some cases, your doctor may allow your nurse to teach you and your caregiver to give your own Ig. Either way, your nurse will make sure you are comfortable with all the steps from start to finish.
1. Infusion access
- Your nurse will likely infuse your IVIg about once a month.
- If you need a peripheral intravenous (IV) line, your nurse will come to your house to put the line in.
- If you have a permanent IV access device, your nurse will access it or teach you or your caregiver how to access it.
- Always have the IV line in and ready before you get the medication ready.
- If your doctor ordered pre-medication (medication to take before your infusion), you’ll get this about 15 to 30 minutes before starting your infusion.
2. Mixing your Ig
- Your nurse will likely mix your medication at your home just before your infusion.
- Ig is only good for 4 hours after you mix it or break the seal on a premixed vial. Only mix it when you are ready to use it.
3. Infusing your Ig
- Your nurse will infuse your IVIg and monitor you for side effects during your infusion.
- If you give your own IVIg, your nurse will show you how to infuse your medication and what signs to watch for. They’ll show you how to connect the tubing through the pump and to your catheter. Be sure not to contaminate anything.
4. Removing your catheter
- Your nurse will show you how to disconnect the tubing from your catheter.
- If the catheter is the kind that stays in, your nurse will teach you how to flush it.
- Make sure to dispose of all your infusion supplies as directed.
Subcutaneous immunoglobulin or SCIg
In most cases, your nurse will show you how to give your own SCIg. Your nurse will teach you how to safely prepare and infuse your therapy.
1. Infusion access
- You’ll likely receive your SCIg about once a week.
- Your nurse will teach you and your caregiver how and where to put the needles into your skin. You’ll learn to put the needles in yourself.
- Always have the needles in and ready before you get the medication ready.
- If your doctor ordered pre-medication (medication to take before your infusion), you’ll do this about 15 to 30 minutes before you start your infusion.
2. Mixing your Ig
- Your medication will likely be already mixed. But if it isn’t, you’ll mix it yourself. Your nurse will teach you how to mix it.
- Ig is only good for four hours once you mix it, so only mix it when you are ready to use it.
3. Infusing your Ig
- Your nurse will show you how to infuse your medication and make sure you are comfortable with the steps.
- You’ll connect a syringe and tubing to the pump. Be sure not to contaminate anything.
4. Removing the needles
- Your nurse will show you how to take the needles out from your skin.
- Make sure to dispose of all your infusion supplies as directed.
Call your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about your Ig infusion.
CVS Specialty and Coram CVS Specialty Infusion Services (Coram) work together to dispense and administer Ig therapy to patients. Choose pickup or contactless delivery of your infusion therapy and supplies to your door. Find out more here.
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