Key takeaways

  • Panzyga (immune globulin intravenous, human – ifas) can cause a range of side effects, from mild issues like headaches and fever to more serious complications like blood clots and kidney problems.
  • The risk of serious side effects like blood clots and kidney problems can be increased by factors such as dehydration or pre-existing kidney conditions. Doctors may monitor kidney function and adjust dosage accordingly.
  • If side effects from Panzyga become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Panzyga is a prescription liquid solution given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). It’s used to treat the following conditions:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Panzyga can cause.

Panzyga has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Panzyga” section.

Panzyga can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

The following lists contain a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Panzyga in studies. Side effects of this drug can vary depending on the condition being treated.

More common side effects in people taking Panzyga for PI include:

More common side effects in people taking Panzyga for chronic ITP include:

More common side effects in people taking Panzyga for CIDP include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Mild side effects have been reported with Panzyga. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Panzyga treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Panzyga may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Panzyga may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Panzyga’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section and the “Boxed warnings for Panzyga” section.

If you develop serious side effects during treatment with Panzyga, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Panzyga and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Panzyga can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Panzyga treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Panzyga, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Panzyga has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Blood clots

Panzyga may increase the risk of blood clots. This side effect was not reported in clinical trials of the drug but has been reported since the drug came on the market.

Symptoms of a blood clot may include difficulty breathing, skin warmth, and pain or swelling in the affected area.

Certain factors may increase the risk of blood clots with Panzyga. These include:

  • being inactive for long periods of time
  • having had a blood clot in the past
  • having thick blood or another condition that increases your clotting risk
  • older age
  • taking drugs that contain estrogen

Due to the risk of blood clots, your doctor will prescribe the lowest Panzyga dosage needed to treat your condition.

Being well-hydrated before each Panzyga infusion may help lower your risk of blood clots.

Kidney problems

Panzyga may increase the risk of kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure. Kidney problems with Panzyga may be fatal in some cases. This side effect was not reported in clinical trials of the drug but has been reported since the drug came on the market.

Symptoms of kidney problems may include confusion, nausea, and swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs.

Having a kidney problem before starting Panzyga may increase this risk. Certain other factors may also increase the risk of kidney problems with this medication, such as:

Before you start Panzyga treatment, your doctor may check your kidney function with a blood or urine test. They’ll likely order these tests from time to time throughout your treatment. If you have a kidney problem with Panzyga, your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe to continue treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Panzyga side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Anemia

Anemia was a common side effect reported in studies of adults taking Panzyga for chronic ITP. With anemia, you have a lower number of red blood cells circulating in your bloodstream.

Symptoms of anemia include:

If you experience symptoms of anemia, call your doctor. They’ll likely order tests to confirm whether your blood cell counts are low. If so, they may lower your dose or temporarily have you stop Panzyga until your blood cell counts recover. For serious anemia, they may recommend treatment options such as blood transfusions.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this side effect.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported in studies of Panzyga. Nausea can cause vomiting and lead to dehydration.

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • apply a cool compress to the back of your neck
  • drink chamomile tea, ginger tea, or peppermint tea
  • eat a small piece of fresh or candied ginger
  • recline with your upper body elevated, and move around as little as possible
  • take over-the-counter nausea medications (antiemetics) such as:
  • try the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) or other bland foods such as:
    • saltines
    • scrambled or hard-boiled eggs
    • plain pasta or a baked potato

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout each day to keep your body hydrated.

If you develop nausea that becomes severe or doesn’t go away, tell your doctor.

Consider the following important information before taking Panzyga.

Panzyga has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see “Boxed warnings for Panzyga.”

Other precautions

Before starting Panzyga, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

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.