Anthrax Immune Globulin (Human), Intravenous

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax and may have anthrax in their lungs.
• If you have diabetes, you may have incorrect results when using certain blood glucose monitors and test strips while receiving this medicine.
• This medicine may cause blood clots or other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: immune globulin

Generic and brand names: anthrax immune globulin (human), intravenous; Anthrasil

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax and may have anthrax in their lungs. This medicine is given along with antibiotics.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine or immune globulin
• A stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Bleeding disorders, blood clots, or blood vessel disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease or a heart attack
• Immunoglobulin A deficiency
• Kidney disease

Tell your healthcare provider if:

• You have recently had an infection, a long period of bed rest or immobilization such as after major surgery or a broken bone in a cast
• You take hormones such as estrogen or estrogen-containing products.
• You have received any vaccines within the past 3 months or you are scheduled to receive any kind of vaccine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These infusions are given by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may advise you to drink extra fluids before receiving this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

If you have diabetes: This medicine may cause false high blood sugar readings for some kinds of monitors and test strips.

• DO NOT use monitors or test strips that use GDH-PQQ or GDO to measure blood glucose during treatment with this medicine.
• Contact the manufacturer of the monitor and test strips you use to make sure that this medicine will not interfere with the test results. Talk to your healthcare provider before you change your diet or dosage of diabetes medicine.
• If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. They must use the right kind of blood sugar monitor and test strips for you.

This medicine may cause serious or life-threatening blood clots. The risk of blood clots may be higher in older people, if you have been immobile for a long time, if you take hormones, are using a catheter, or if you have heart or blood vessel problems, or a history of blood clots. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness (especially on one side of your body), or pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or a lump in your legs or arms.

This medicine may cause serious or life-threatening kidney problems. The risk of kidney problems may be higher in older people, if you are dehydrated, have diabetes, a history of kidney problems, problems with proteins in your blood, or take other medicines that affect your kidneys. Signs of kidney problems include urinating less often, unexplained bloating or swelling, and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms while being treated with this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first. This medicine may affect how well vaccines work.

This medicine is made from human tissue. It is tested for viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. The risk of getting an infection from this medicine is very low, but it is still possible. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing), pain in your chest, jaw, or arm; sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Problems urinating or urinating less often; unusual bruising or bleeding; shortness of breath; severe dizziness or fainting; rapid or irregular heartbeat; painful eye movements; sensitivity to light; stiff neck; unusual tiredness or weakness; severe lower back or side pain; pinpoint red spots on the skin; dark urine; yellowing of the eyes and skin; severe nausea or vomiting; unexplained fever; pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or a lump in your legs or arms; swelling in hands, ankles, or feet, or any unexplained swelling.

Other: Tenderness, pain, or redness where the shot was given; mild headache; mild nausea; mild back pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.