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What is Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin
Varicella zoster immune globulin is an intramuscularly administered preparation of purified human immune globulin G (IgG) containing antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (anti-VZV).
It is indicated for passive immunity in high-risk individuals after exposure to varicella (i.e., post-exposure prophylaxis).
High-risk individuals for which the immune globulin is indicated include immunocompromised children and adults, newborns of mothers with varicella shortly before or after delivery, premature infants, neonates and infants younger than 1 year of age, adults without evidence of immunity, and pregnant women.
Varicella-zoster immune globulin is intended to reduce the severity of varicella infections; however, there is no convincing evidence that post-exposure prophylaxis reduces the incidence of infection or alters disease progression after the appearance of varicella rash (i.e., established infection).
To provide the greatest effectiveness, the immune globulin should be administered as soon as possible after exposure to the virus, ideally within 96 hours (can be given up to 10 days after exposure).
Brand Name
VARIZIG
Indications
- varicella (chickenpox) infection prophylaxis
Side Effects
- anaphylactic shock
- chills
- coagulopathy
- disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- fatigue
- headache
- infection
- injection site reaction
- intracranial bleeding
- intraventricular hemorrhage
- nausea
- pruritus
- rash
- serum sickness
- thrombosis
- urticaria
- vesicular rash
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- breast-feeding
- cardiac disease
- coagulopathy
- coronary artery disease
- diabetes mellitus
- geriatric
- heart failure
- hemophilia
- hypertriglyceridemia
- IgA deficiency
- infection
- obesity
- pregnancy
- thrombocytopenia
- thromboembolic disease
- vaccination
- viral infection
Interactions
- Measles Virus; Mumps Virus; Rubella Virus; Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccines, MMR
- Rotavirus Vaccine
- Rubella Virus Vaccine Live
