Subcutaneous Treatment

Subcutaneous administration of immunoglobulin is a method of infusing antibodies directly into the skin. The immunoglobulin is infused using a syringe driver, a syringe, and butterfly or thumb needle. The infusions are usually given into the skin of the abdominal wall, but sometimes the thigh is used. Although some slight swelling may occur, infusing immunoglobulin into the skin allows it to spread throughout the bloodstream faster than when infused intravenously.

Stable Antibody Levels

One advantage of subcutaneous infusions, also called SCIG, is that very stable antibody levels can be maintained over time. An infusion on one day will result in slight peak in serum levels after four days, but the peak will decline slowly. Experience so far with subcutaneous administration has shown that:

• Subcutaneous administration of immunoglobulins is at least as effective as IVIG in preventing infections,
• Normalised IgG levels are maintained between infusions, and
• There is a low incidence of adverse events.

Home Therapy

SCIG can be performed not only in a hospital or clinic, but also at home. The infusion technique is easy to learn in the hospital setting under supervision of a doctor. Once learned, home therapy is safe for administration and substantially increases patients' quality of life. With good patient education and continuous support, SCIG helps patients cope better with the fact that they will require lifelong therapy.

The majority of patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders suitable for immunoglobulin replacement therapy generally qualify for subcutaneous administration and are able to learn the easy infusion technique.

For further information please click on the link to see the patient brochure for subcutaneous use.

Subcutaneous Therapy Brochure [600 KB PDF]

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