Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics): Full Drug Profile

Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics) - General Information

Mixture of IgG1 and other antibodies derived from human plasma via Cohn fractionation. The purification process includes cold alcohol fractionation, polyethylene glycol precipitation, and ion exchange chromatography. Flebogamma contains the IgG antibody specificities found in the general human population. IgG subclasses are fully represented in the following proportions: IgG1 is 70.3%, IgG2, 24.7%, IgG3, 3.1%, and IgG4,
1.9%

Pharmacology of Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics)

Used as a replacement therapy in inherited humoral immunodeficiency disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, x-linked agammaglobulinemia, and Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. The immune globulins target, bind and kill bacterial cells as well as viral particles. IgG is the monomeric immunoglobulin of which there are four subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) in differing abundances (66%, 23%, 7% and 4%). IgAs represent about 15% of the immunoglobulins in the blood. These target inhaled or ingested pathogens.

Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics) for patients

Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics) Interactions

Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics) Contraindications

BayGam should not be given to persons with isolated immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Such persons have the potential for developing antibodies to IgA and could have anaphylactic reactions to subsequent administration of blood products that contain IgA. ⁹

BayGam should not be administered to patients who have severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate intramuscular injections.

Additional information about Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics)

Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics) Indication

For treatment of immunodeficiencies, thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaki disease, gammablobulinemia, leukemia, bone transplant

Mechanism Of Action

Antibodies prevent infection by attaching to the surface of invading pathogens and aiding in their disposal before they can infect cells. Antibodies remove pathogens via complement activation, agglutination or precipitation, pathogen receptor blocking, macrophage “tagging” or neutralization (via binding) of pathogen toxins.

Generic Name

Immune globulin

Synonyms

Ig alpha-2 chain C region

Drug Category

Anti-Infectives; Immunomodulatory Agents

Drug Type

Biotech; Approved; Investigational

Other Brand Names containing Immune globulin

Flebogamma (Instituto Grifols SA); Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics);

Half Life

>20 hours (mammalian reticulocytes, in vitro).

Dosage Forms of Gamunex (Talecris Biotherapeutics)

Solution Intramuscular

Chemical IUPAC Name

Human antibodies

Chemical Formula

C6332H9826N1692O1980S42

Organisms Affected

Humans and other mammals; Bacteria and protozoa; Various viruses