The most common adverse reactions for intramuscularly administered Nabi-HB with a rate > 5% are local erythema, headache, myalgia, and malaise.
Anaphylactic reactions have been reported following the injection of human immune globulins.[1]
Fifty male and female volunteers received Nabi-HB [Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)] intramuscularly in pharmacokinetics trials.[2] The number of patients with reactions related to the administration of Nabi-HB included local reactions such as erythema 6 (12%) and ache 2 (4%) at the injection site, as well as systemic reactions such as headache 7 (14%), myalgia 5 (10%), malaise 3 (6%), nausea 2 (4%), and vomiting 1 (2%). The majority (92%) of reactions were reported as mild. The following adverse events were reported in the pharmacokinetics trials and were considered probably related to Nabi-HB: elevated alkaline phosphatase 2 (4%), ecchymosis 1 (2%), joint stiffness 1 (2%), elevated AST 1 (2%), decreased WBC 1 (2%), and elevated creatinine 1 (2%). All adverse events were mild in intensity. There were no serious adverse events.
References:
- Shouval D, Samuel D. Hepatitis B immune globulins to prevent Hepatitis B virus graft reinfection following liver transplantation: a concise review. Hepatology 2000; 32 (6): 1189 - 1195
- Data on file, Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Important Safety Information for Nabi-HB®
Individuals known to have had an anaphylactic or severe systemic reaction to human globulin should not receive Nabi-HB® [Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)] or any other human immune globulin. Individuals who are deficient in IgA have the potential to develop antibodies against IgA and anaphylactic reactions.
In patients who have severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate intramuscular injections, Nabi-HB should be given only if the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Nabi-HB is made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents (e.g., viruses) and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.
Nabi-HB [Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)], must be administered only intramuscularly for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Vaccination with live virus vaccines (e.g., MMR) should be deferred until approximately three months after administration of Nabi-HB.
The most common adverse reactions associated with Nabi-HB in clinical trials were erythema and ache at the injection site as well as systemic reactions such as headache, myalgia, malaise, nausea and vomiting. No anaphylactic reactions with Nabi-HB have been reported.
Please see the full Prescribing Information for Nabi-HB [Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)].
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.