Therapies

Octagam Therapy® Page

Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care
Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care
Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care
Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care

What Is Octagam®?

Octagam® is a prescription infusion therapy made from carefully purified and tested human plasma. It contains immunoglobulin G, or IgG, which is a type of antibody found in healthy blood. Octagam is given on a schedule set by your doctor to meet your specific health needs. You receive the therapy through a vein, usually at an outpatient infusion clinic, under the care of trained medical staff.

What Is Octagam Used For?

Octagam is used to boost your immune system in certain autoimmune and immune-related conditions. The extra antibodies help regulate immune responses and reduce harmful activity in your body in certain conditions, including:

  • Primary Immunodeficiency (PI): Provides the antibodies your body can’t make, which protects you from infections
  • Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (cITP): Helps increase your platelet count and lowers your risk of bruising or bleeding
  • Dermatomyositis (DM): Reduces immune system attacks on your muscles and skin, helping relieve inflammation and improve movement
  • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): Helps calm immune system attacks on your nerves, building muscle strength and function
  • Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN): Supports nerve health by slowing immune damage to motor nerves to regain or maintain strength
  • Myasthenia Gravis (MG): Helps reduce immune interference with nerve-to-muscle signals and improves muscle control and energy

These are the most common conditions where Octagam is either FDA-approved or frequently used off-label by specialists. Your care team will decide if it’s the right fit based on your specific diagnosis and needs.

Octagam Prescribing Information

Octagam is available in two formulations: Octagam 5%, indicated for PI, and Octagam 10%, indicated for cITP and DM.

  • For PI, the Octagam 5% dosage is 300 to 600 mg/kg administered every three to four weeks, and the infusion rate starts at 0.5 mg/kg/min. If tolerated, the rate may be gradually increased up to 3.33 mg/kg/min.
  • The Octagam 10% dose for cITP is 2 g/kg divided into equal doses over 2 consecutive days. Begin the infusion at 1.0 mg/kg/min. If tolerated, slowly increase the rate up to 12.0 mg/kg/min.
  • DM patients receive 2 g/kg of Octagam 10% divided into equal doses over two to five consecutive days every four weeks. Administer at an infusion rate of 1.0 mg/kg/min. If tolerated, the rate may be increased up to 4.0 mg/kg/min.

What Are the Possible Octagam Side Effects?

When you receive Octagam, it’s possible to experience infusion reactions, which can include chills, flushing, headache, or changes in blood pressure. Nurses will monitor you closely during each infusion to catch and manage any signs early.

Common Side Effects of Octagam

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Fatigue

Serious Octagam Side Effects

  • Blood clots
  • Kidney dysfunction or failure
  • Anaphylaxis or other life-threatening allergic reactions
  • Inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord
  • Rapid red blood cell breakdown
  • Transfusion-related fluid buildup in the lungs

If you experience any serious symptoms during or after an infusion, it’s important to tell your care team immediately.

Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care
Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care

Physician-Directed Octagam Infusion Care at Healix

At Healix Infusion Care, we specialize in physician-directed infusion therapy for a wide range of autoimmune and chronic conditions, with on-site nurses and pharmacists who track every step of your therapy. If your care plan includes Octagam or another IVIg treatment, you can count on us to deliver it with precision, support, and experience. Learn more about how to get started with Healix today.

Octagam, Octagam® Infusion Therapy, Healix Infusion Care
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