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About SubQ Therapy

Subcutaneous Infusions

Whether you are newly diagnosed or looking to make the switch to subcutaneous infusions with the Freedom Infusion System, we will explain what Immunoglobulin (Ig) Treatment is, patient benefits of SCIg, and how to become your own best advocate.

Immunoglobulin Treatment
Patient Benefits
Be Your Own Advocate
Get In Touch

Immunoglobulin (Ig) Treatment

What Is It?

Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy is used to temporarily replace some of the antibodies (immunoglobulins) that are missing or not working properly in the patient’s body. There are five types of Ig: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE. Ig products contain 95-98% pure IgG with a very small amount of IgA and IgM.

Ig treatment uses IgG obtained from plasma, a special part of the blood containing antibodies, donated by healthy individuals. This is done to keep enough antibodies in the blood of patients with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDD) to help their body fight off bacteria and viruses, making it one of the most successful treatments. For patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), Ig therapy provides healthy antibodies to block the immune and inflammatory processes that attack and destroy myelin, making it a safe and effective option for treatment.

Route of Administration

Ig replacement therapy is generally administered either intravenously (IVIg) or subcutaneously (SCIg). SCIg can be given two ways: conventional or facilitated (fSCIg). The facilitated method is aided by an initial enzyme medication (infused in the same subQ needle) to increase the amount of Ig that can be delivered during each subcutaneous infusion.1

IVIg is administered about every 3 to 4 weeks while SCIg is typically given 1-2 times per week. SCIg is associated with the slow release of Ig through the subcutaneous tissue into the body, enabling the patients’ IgG levels to remain steady and consistent between infusions.1

Both IVIg and SCIg are regarded as therapeutically equivalent treatments for PIDD and CIDP. You and your healthcare provider should discuss which route of administration is most appropriate to meet your needs.2

Learn More About Treament Options

Ig Production

Worldwide, there are over 25 different Ig products used for various treatments, all of which contain essentially the same number of antibodies. The main differences are in concentration, stabilizing ingredients and manufacturing processes.

All Ig products are derived from human source plasma. Source plasma is pooled from thousands of plasma donations through plasmapheresis in which the liquid part (plasma) is separated from the red and white cells. Both the red and white blood cells are then returned to the donor, allowing the patient to return to make monthly donations.1

Typically, it takes about 10,000 donors to create one lot of Ig products. This ensures that the lot contains a broad spectrum of antibodies found in the general population.1 It takes between 10 and 40 plasma donations to create a single dose of immunoglobulin. Of those donations, it takes about 130 to treat 1 PIDD patient for 1 year.

Learn More About Plasma Donation

1. Immune Deficiency Foundation. About Primary Immunodeficiencies. primaryimmune.org/about-primary-immunodeficiencies. Accessed June 14, 2021
2. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDDs). niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/primary-immune-deficiency-diseases-PIDDs. Accessed Aug 19, 2020

Patient Benefits with SCIg

SCIg is infused slowly into the fatty layer under the skin as opposed to IVIg, which is delivered through a vein. SCIg is typically administered on a more frequent basis than IVIg, which provides stable Ig levels, decreases side effects, and improves overall quality of life.1 The best part is you can infuse in the comfort of your own home!

Subcutaneous & Intravenous Serum Ig Levels

Considering subcutaneous Ig infusions? Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to discuss the benefits of SCIg with the KORU Freedom Infusion System.

1 Younger. Immunoglobulin Success. J Inf Nurs 2015
2 Berger M. et al. J Clin Immunol. 2004; 112:1-7.

Studies have shown that many patients have experienced an enhanced quality of life when switching from IVIg to SCIg.

  • 92% of patients preferred SCIg therapy to IVIg in a study of children and adult patients with antibody deficiency1
  • Converting from IVIg to SCIg resulted in an improved quality of life in a study of adult CIDP patients.2
  • Home-based SCIg treatment led to significant improvements in quality of life in a study of children aged 2-17 with PIDD.3
  • 84% of patients reported that quality of life was better with SCIg therapy compared with IVIg in a survey of adult PIDD patients.4

Discover the benefits of SCIg with the KORU Freedom Infusion System

1 Hoffman F et al. Eur J Med Res. 2010; 15:238-245
2 Vu T et al. Muscle Nerve. 2021; 64:251-357
3 Fasth A et al. J Clin Immunol. 2008; 28:370–7
4 Zampelli et al.  J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014: 133(S2): AB10

Being Your Own Advocate

Being Your Own Advocate

Navigating life with chronic illness is no easy feat. Between keeping track of all your care providers, understanding the ins and outs of insurance, and all the information that is thrown at you throughout your medical journey, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. With patience and practice, learning to advocate for yourself is possible and the key to improved patient care.

Upon diagnosis, you will work closely with your provider to figure out what treatment option is best for you. Once you have figured out the route of administration, your doctor will recommend and prescribe the medication and supplies you will need to get started.

Ig therapy is so specific and individualized that it takes an entire team of healthcare professionals to make it possible. To receive the best outcomes, it is critical for patients to be a part of the decision-making process when it comes to their treatment.

Get Involved

To become your own best advocate, it is important to engage in the process as much as possible. Becoming active, gaining the knowledge you need and getting involved in the decision-making process can help you seamlessly integrate the new therapy into your life.

Treatment Planning

It takes some planning with your healthcare team to prepare for IG treatment. Making sure to have open communication will help establish a strong foundation moving forward. To do so, make sure you provide your full medical history, create a running list of questions, and discuss any cultural, financial and lifestyle issues you may have concerns about.

Finding What Works Best for You

Knowing your options is a key factor when figuring out what will work best for you.

  • There are several IG products on the market which contain essentially the same number of antibodies. The main differences are in concentration, stabilizing ingredients, and manufacturing processes.
  • You and your team must also decide which type of administration fits your needs and lifestyle - intravenous or subcutaneous.
  • The possibility of side effects and/or adverse reactions is something to be aware of. Depending on the route of administration you choose, there are different techniques and variables that should be addressed.

Communicate with Your Team

Communication is key when advocating for yourself. Your healthcare team is there to support you through your medical journey, so make sure you keep the lines open.

Being your own best advocate means you are the captain of the team, making you accountable for holding appointments, getting your questions answered and communicating your needs. This may take patience and practice. Over time, you should become confident and comfortable with the process.

Experiencing Site Reactions?

If you are unhappy with any part of your treatment or have been experiencing any adverse effects, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider. Pain, redness, swelling/bumps, drug leakage, burning, and itching at the site are all considered adverse effects. Do not be afraid to speak up if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Just remember, it's up to you/your caregiver to take control of your healthcare, so be sure to speak up for what is right for you.

Reference: Colletta, BSN, CRNI, IgCN, Rachel. "Take Charge of your Healthcare by Becoming Your Own Advocate." Ig Living Dec-Jan 2021.

Get In Touch

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