Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) is a blood product used to treat autoimmune conditions including diseases that cause inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), lupus, and myositis.

IVIG was first developed in the 1950s and first used to treat autoimmune diseases in the 1980s.

Taking Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)

IVIG is given by an intravenous infusion by a trained nurse. Each infusion can take from 2 to 6 hours. How often IVIG infusions are given will be determined by your doctor.

Although some patients can feel better quite quickly after receiving treatment, in others it can take a little longer.

Important Tests and Risks

Science

Safety

Video

Watch Dr. Andy Thompson, a Canadian rheumatologist, introduce Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) in this short video:

Resources

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Quick Reference Guide