Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for this chronic illness. And in 2018, Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIg) therapy was cleared by the FDA for treatment of this disease. Patients and clinicians are now left to wonder which treatment is better for their situation, IVIg or SCIg?
A recent article titled “Immunoglobulin administration for the treatment of CIDP: IVIG or SCIG?” was published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences. This article discusses many aspects to consider between the two administration routes, including pharmacokinetics, adverse events, administration, patient variables, and even cost considerations. This article can be helpful as clinicians navigate the differences between each method, and can help assist them in choosing a route that will be most beneficial for their patients.
The article’s abstract is described as follows:
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired neurological disorder characterized clinically by weakness and impaired sensory function evolving over 2 months or more, loss or significant decrease in deep tendon reflexes, and by electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination. Expeditious diagnosis and treatment of CIDP early in the disease course is critical such that irreversible disability can be avoided. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is one first-line and maintenance therapy option for CIDP. The US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) in 2018 provides patients with CIDP more treatment options for maintenance therapy. The different options for administration of IG treatment create the need for information to assist clinicians and patients in choosing the optimal therapeutic approach. Considerations for pharmacokinetics, administration procedures, adverse events, patient variables, and cost will all be discussed in this article.
The journal can be viewed here at the Journal of the Neurological Sciences website.
Vanessa Sumner MBA, MSN, RN
Clinical Training Specialist
