The prescribed dosage for Hizentra may depend on a person’s individual treatment plan. Factors like your medical history and body weight may affect your dosage.

Hizentra is a prescription drug used to treat certain immune system conditions. The drug comes as a liquid that’s given by subcutaneous infusion (injection under the skin given over a period of time). Hizentra is used to treat:

The active ingredient in Hizentra is immune globulin (human). Hizentra belongs to a group of drugs called subcutaneous immune globulins (IgSC).

This article describes the dosages of Hizentra, its strength, and how to take it.

Hizentra is available in the following form, strength, and sizes:

  • Hizentra form: Hizentra is available as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous (SC) infusion (an injection under your skin given over a period of time). It comes in a single-dose prefilled syringe or vial.
  • Hizentra strength: Hizentra comes in one strength of 0.2 grams in 1 milliliter of solution (g/mL). Four sizes of syringe and vial are available: 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, and 50 mL.

Hizentra is approved to treat the following conditions:

The prescribed Hizentra dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Hizentra dosage for PI

Before starting Hizentra treatment for PI, you will need to have received treatment with another immunoglobulin product. This may be:

  • an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, such as Gammagard, Privigen, or Panzyga
  • a subcutaneous immunoglobulin (IgSC) treatment, such as Cuvitru, Xembify, or Hyqvia

You’ll switch to Hizentra from one of these treatments.

For adults with PI, your doctor will calculate your Hizentra dosage based on your past IVIg or IgSC dosage. They will also take into account your blood immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and your body weight.

Your doctor may recommend taking Hizentra daily, a few times per week, once per week, or every 2 weeks. You’ll typically start taking Hizentra at least 1 week after your last dose of IVIg or IgSC.

Your doctor may adjust your Hizentra dosage over time to achieve the dosage that’s right for you. Your doctor may also adjust your dosage temporarily if you’re exposed to measles or you’re at risk of being exposed to measles (for example if there’s a measles outbreak in your area).

Hizentra dosage for CIDP

Before starting Hizentra treatment for CIDP, you’ll need to have received treatment with an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, such as Gammagard, Privigen, or Panzyga. You’ll typically start taking Hizentra 1 week after your last dose of IVIg.

For adults with CIDP, the typical dosage of Hizentra is 0.2 g per kilogram (kg) of body weight each week. One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). For example, for a person weighing 60 kg (about 132 lb) the recommended dosage would be 12 g of Hizentra per week.

Your doctor may recommend taking your weekly dose in one session or in two sessions taken over 2 days.

If your CIDP symptoms get worse, your doctor may increase your Hizentra dosage to 0.4 g per kg of body weight each week. This should be taken in two sessions over 1 or 2 days.

Hizentra is used to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in children ages 2 years and older.

The Hizentra dosage recommendations for children with PI are the same as for adults with PI. As with adults, the child’s doctor will calculate the Hizentra dosage based on the child’s past IVIg or IgSC dosage. They will also take into account the child’s blood immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and body weight.

As with adults, the child’s doctor may recommend they take Hizentra daily, a few times per week, once per week, or every 2 weeks.

For more information about Hizentra’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

A healthcare professional will usually teach you how to administer Hizentra yourself at home and give you specific instructions.

Hizentra is administered by subcutaneous infusion (an injection just under the skin that’s given over a period of time). You’ll use an infusion pump to administer the infusion.

You may need to use more than one syringe or vial to prepare your prescribed dose. Depending on your dose, you may need to use up to eight infusion sites to administer your dose. You can use more than one infusion pump at the same time.

You can administer Hizentra in your abdomen (belly), thigh, upper arm, or hip.

You should use a different site each time you take your Hizentra infusion. If you need to use more than one infusion site to administer your dose, make sure the sites are at least two inches apart.

Depending on your dose and how many sites you use, it may take about 1 to 2 hours to administer each infusion.

You can find detailed instructions for taking Hizentra on the manufacturer’s website for PI or CIDP. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or another healthcare professional.

How long do you take Hizentra?

Hizentra is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term once you reach your maintenance dose.

Do not take more Hizentra than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Hizentra

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Hizentra. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.