Starting OCTAGAM® 10% | OCTAGAM® 10% (Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) 10% Liquid Preparation)

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Getting your infusions

If your doctor decides that OCTAGAM 10% is right for you, it’s time to get started with treatment. Knowing what to expect can be helpful as you begin your treatment journey.

OCTAGAM 10% is given by IV infusion through a needle inserted into your vein. This may be done at home, in a hospital, or at an infusion center, but it is always done by a healthcare professional.

How often will I receive an infusion?

OCTAGAM 10% is infused:

DM	once daily over 2 to 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks
cITP	once daily over 2 consecutive days (frequency of infusions will vary by patient)

How long will each infusion take?

Your first infusion will take the longest. After that, infusion times will vary by patient.

DM	approximately 4 to 5 hours per day*
cITP	approximately 2 to 3 hours per day*

^*The DM example is based on a 160 g total dose for a 176-lb (80-kg) patient and an infusion administration ramp-up rate of 1, 2, and then 4 mg/kg/min. The cITP example is based on a 160 g total dose for a 176-lb (80-kg) patient and an infusion administration ramp-up rate of 1, 2, 4, 8, and then 12 mg/kg/min.

How can I prepare for my infusions?

Before your infusion

Drink lots of water to stay hydrated the day before your infusion, and on each day of your treatment

Avoid caffeine and alcohol during this time

Have a book or tablet on hand to help pass the time during treatment

On treatment days

Your healthcare professional will start your infusion at a slow rate, increasing gradually

They will monitor your health while you are getting the infusion

This includes:

Checking your blood pressure and temperature
Watching for signs of infusion reactions

If they notice a severe reaction, they may slow or stop treatment, which may help these symptoms go away

After your infusion

You may be able to continue with the regular activities of your day, as much as you’re comfortable with

Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist with any questions, or if you become worried about side effects

Try the Ig Companion app

This free app offers helpful
treatment tools, from tracking
your infusions to setting
reminders

Have questions about
OCTAGAM 10%?

Find answers to frequently asked questions and get connected to additional support

Find savings and resources

View co-pay program info, where
eligible patients may pay as little
as $0,^† and explore other helpful
materials and tools

^*The OCTAGAM Co-Pay Program provides eligible patients assistance of up to $12,500 per year. Once a patient reaches the annual maximum benefit, patient is responsible for paying the remaining monthly out-of-pocket costs. The OCTAGAM Co-Pay Program is good only in the US and Puerto Rico. No membership fees. Federal and state health care beneficiaries are not eligible. Private insurance only. Eligibility and restrictions apply. See full Terms and Conditions on the Support and financial assistance page.

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INDICATIONS AND USAGE

OCTAGAM 10% is indicated for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP) in adults and dermatomyositis (DM) in adults. For patients with cITP, it is used to rapidly increase the platelet count in the blood to help control or prevent bleeding. For patients with DM, it helps improve muscle function and skin rash.

OCTAGAM 10% is a liquid medication that contains Immunoglobulin G (IgG). OCTAGAM 10% is made from human plasma donated by healthy people. OCTAGAM 10% is given through the vein (intravenously) in a hospital, infusion center, or at home.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use OCTAGAM 10% if you have had a severe allergic reaction to IgG or other blood products or have deficiencies of immunoglobulin A (IgA) with antibodies to IgA.
OCTAGAM 10% can cause the following:

Blood clots in your heart, brain, lungs or other areas of your body
Kidney problems, or kidney failure

Tell your healthcare provider (HCP) if you have an allergy to corn. OCTAGAM 10% contains a type of sugar that is made from corn.
OCTAGAM 10% can cause the following serious side effects. Contact your HCP if you experience the following:

Swelling in your mouth or throat, hives/itching, breathing problems, wheezing, fainting, tightness in your chest, or dizziness. This could be a serious allergic reaction.
Decreased urination, swelling in your legs, sudden weight gain, or breathing problems, which could mean kidney failure
Pain and/or swelling of an arm or leg with warmth in the affected area, discoloration of an arm or leg, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort that worsens with deep breathing, unexplained rapid pulse, or numbness or weakness on one side of the body; these could be signs of a blood clot.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, fatigue, or increased heart rate, which could be signs of a blood problem.
Headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, fever, sensitivity to light, painful eye movements, or nausea and vomiting, which could mean an inflammation of the membranes covering your brain or spinal cord
Trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, arms or legs, and fever, which could be related to a lung problem. This typically occurs 1 to 6 hours following infusion.

Common side effects include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure, chills, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnea, infusion site reactions, and increased heart rate.

If you use a blood glucose monitor, check with your HCP to ensure that your monitor and test strips are acceptable to use while you are receiving OCTAGAM 10%.

These are not all of the possible side effects with OCTAGAM 10%. Tell your HCPs about any side effects that you have that cause concern or don't go away.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including complete BOXED WARNING.

Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about adverse events.

You may report an adverse event related to Pfizer products by calling 1-800-438-1985 (US only). If you prefer, you may contact the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly. The FDA has established a reporting service known as MedWatch where healthcare professionals and consumers can report problems they suspect may be associated with the drugs and medical devices they prescribe, dispense, or use. Visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

OCTAGAM^® is a registered trademark of Octapharma AG.

This site is intended only for US residents. The products discussed in this site may have different product labeling in different countries. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.

Pfizer 
PO Box 29309 
Mission, KS 66201

Getting started with OCTAGAM 10%