Identification and comparison of adverse events for preparations of IVIG in patients with neuromuscular diseases

Abstract 

Objective

Risk factors for adverse events in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy are uncertain. We sought to determine the associations of IVIG-related adverse events in patients with neuromuscular disorders.

Patients and methods

We determined the prevalence of adverse events with the use of different forms of IVIG in a tertiary care patient population with neuromuscular diseases. A retrospective assessment for over two decades of patient care was performed.

Results

Adverse events occurred in 43% of patients over time and during 10% of infusions. Prevalence of adverse events, especially headache, was higher for lyophilized forms of IVIG, and increased with cumulative IVIG delivery. Fortunately, serious adverse events were rare for all IVIG preparations. Discontinuation of IVIG therapy occurred most commonly due to perceived inefficacy or adverse events with lyophilized forms of IVIG.

Conclusion

IVIG is generally well tolerated and only rarely associated with serious adverse events, but lyophilized forms of IVIG may be associated with greater prevalence of adverse events in patients with neuromuscular diseases.

Keywords: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Intravenous immunoglobulin, Myasthenia gravis, Neuromuscular disorders