Multiple Sclerosis: Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Topic Overview
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a medicine often used to boost
the body's
immune system and make it better able to fight
disease. It is made from donated blood fluids.
Treatment with IVIG may improve
function and lengthen the time before a relapse in people who have relapsing-remitting MS.1 It does not seem to help slow the progression of MS.2
IVIG can also lengthen the time before a second attack in people who take it after the first attack.1
But IVIG is extremely expensive, not widely available, and not
considered practical for long-term treatment of MS. It sometimes may be used to
treat a severe
relapse if you either cannot take or do not respond to
corticosteroids.
The safety of IVIG during pregnancy and breast-feeding is not known.
Talk to your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, if you are pregnant, or if
you are breast-feeding.
References
Citations
- Nicholas R, Chataway J (2009). Multiple sclerosis,
search date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
- Goodin DS, et al. (2002, reaffirmed 2008). Disease modifying therapies
in multiple sclerosis: Report of the therapeutics and technology assessment
subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for
Clinical Practice Guidelines. Neurology, 58(2):
169–178.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology |
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| Last Revised | February 15, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
February 15, 2012
Nicholas R, Chataway J (2009). Multiple sclerosis,
search date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Goodin DS, et al. (2002, reaffirmed 2008). Disease modifying therapies
in multiple sclerosis: Report of the therapeutics and technology assessment
subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for
Clinical Practice Guidelines. Neurology, 58(2):
169–178.
