Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesEffectivenessSide EffectsInteractions/WarningsCost
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Effectiveness
Side Effects
Interactions/Warnings
Cost
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While there’s no clear consensus as to whenIVIG treatmentfor MS is most appropriate, it has shown promise in a number of specific areas, including:
PreventingMS relapsein postpartum pregnancyTreating people who have failed first-line treatment for RRMS and are unable to tolerate traditionaldisease-modifying drugs
Understanding Clinically Isolated Syndrome
At this time, no one really knows how effective IVIG is in treating or slowing the progression of MS. Most of the evidence has been based on its effects on other neurological diseases, such asGuillain-Barré syndromeandmyasthenia gravis. Studies focused purely on IVIG and MS have been mixed at best.
Other studies, meanwhile, have shown no difference in the effectiveness of IVIG compared to placebos in treating RRMS.
Perhaps the one area of promise isthe use of IVIG right after childbirth, which has been shown to significantly reduce the rate of relapses in new mothers.
The most common side effect of IVIG is a headache, which can usually be treated with an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen).
Other possible side effects include:
Rare Side Effects
Some rare but serious side effects have also been noted, including:
Interactions and Contraindications
IVIG should be used with caution in people with the following conditions:
The only clearly defined interaction with IVIG involves live vaccines.
Immunoglobulins can render a vaccine ineffective and void any protection the vaccine may afford.
IVIG has become extremely expensive at an estimated $100 per gram. For a person weighing 154 pounds (70 kilograms), the recommended monthly dosage would end up costing around $7,000 per infusion, not including facility administration and nursing costs.
Some insurance companies may cover the cost, but it’s often difficult to motivate for treatment and usually requires an appeals process to finally gain approval. If approved, insurance co-pays can be extremely high. However, some IVIG manufacturers do offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) to either defray or entirely cover the cost of treatment.
Prescription Assistance Programs
A Word From Verywell
If your healthcare provider recommends IVIG, you may need toadvocate for yourselfto get approval from your insurance. It’s also important to understand the benefits and limitations of the proposed treatment—essentially what the research says and doesn’t say. If you’re not absolutely clear about this, don’t hesitate to seek asecond opinionfrom a qualified specialist. You can use our Doctor Discussion Guide below to help you start that conversation.
Multiple Sclerosis Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galeotti C, Kaveri SV, Bayry J.IVIG-mediated effector functions in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Int Immunol. 2017;29(11):491-498. doi:10.1093/intimm/dxx039Gilardin L, Bayry J, Kaveri SV.Intravenous immunoglobulin as clinical immune-modulating therapy.CMAJ. 2015;187(4):257–264. doi:10.1503/cmaj.130375Bayry J, Hartung HP, Kaveri SV.IVIg for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: promises and uncertainties.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(7):419-421. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2015.04.012Lünemann JD, Quast I, Dalakas MC.Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in neurological diseases.Neurotherapeutics. 2016;13(1):34–46. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0391-5Guo Y, Tian X, Wang X, Xiao Z.Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1299. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01299Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).Additional ReadingWinkelmann A, Rommer PS, Hecker M, Zettl UK.Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Rater-Blinded Analysis of Relapse Rates During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period.CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2019;25(1):78–85. doi:10.1111/cns.12985.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galeotti C, Kaveri SV, Bayry J.IVIG-mediated effector functions in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Int Immunol. 2017;29(11):491-498. doi:10.1093/intimm/dxx039Gilardin L, Bayry J, Kaveri SV.Intravenous immunoglobulin as clinical immune-modulating therapy.CMAJ. 2015;187(4):257–264. doi:10.1503/cmaj.130375Bayry J, Hartung HP, Kaveri SV.IVIg for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: promises and uncertainties.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(7):419-421. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2015.04.012Lünemann JD, Quast I, Dalakas MC.Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in neurological diseases.Neurotherapeutics. 2016;13(1):34–46. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0391-5Guo Y, Tian X, Wang X, Xiao Z.Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1299. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01299Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).Additional ReadingWinkelmann A, Rommer PS, Hecker M, Zettl UK.Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Rater-Blinded Analysis of Relapse Rates During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period.CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2019;25(1):78–85. doi:10.1111/cns.12985.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Galeotti C, Kaveri SV, Bayry J.IVIG-mediated effector functions in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Int Immunol. 2017;29(11):491-498. doi:10.1093/intimm/dxx039Gilardin L, Bayry J, Kaveri SV.Intravenous immunoglobulin as clinical immune-modulating therapy.CMAJ. 2015;187(4):257–264. doi:10.1503/cmaj.130375Bayry J, Hartung HP, Kaveri SV.IVIg for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: promises and uncertainties.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(7):419-421. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2015.04.012Lünemann JD, Quast I, Dalakas MC.Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in neurological diseases.Neurotherapeutics. 2016;13(1):34–46. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0391-5Guo Y, Tian X, Wang X, Xiao Z.Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1299. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01299Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
Galeotti C, Kaveri SV, Bayry J.IVIG-mediated effector functions in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Int Immunol. 2017;29(11):491-498. doi:10.1093/intimm/dxx039
Gilardin L, Bayry J, Kaveri SV.Intravenous immunoglobulin as clinical immune-modulating therapy.CMAJ. 2015;187(4):257–264. doi:10.1503/cmaj.130375
Bayry J, Hartung HP, Kaveri SV.IVIg for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: promises and uncertainties.Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(7):419-421. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2015.04.012
Lünemann JD, Quast I, Dalakas MC.Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in neurological diseases.Neurotherapeutics. 2016;13(1):34–46. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0391-5
Guo Y, Tian X, Wang X, Xiao Z.Adverse effects of immunoglobulin therapy.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1299. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01299
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
Winkelmann A, Rommer PS, Hecker M, Zettl UK.Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Rater-Blinded Analysis of Relapse Rates During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period.CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2019;25(1):78–85. doi:10.1111/cns.12985.
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