Rho(D) immune globulin

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Rho(D) immune globulin
Clinical data
Trade namesWinRho, RhoGAM, others:
Other namesRh0(D) immune globulin, anti-D (Rh0) immunoglobulin, immunoglobulinum humanum anti–D
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
Pregnancy
category
  • C
Routes of
administration		Intramuscular injection
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
ChemSpider
  • none
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Rho(D) immune globulin (RhIG) is a medication used to prevent RhD isoimmunization in mothers who are RhD negative and to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in people who are Rh positive.[2] It is often given both during and following pregnancy.[2] It may also be used when RhD-negative people are given RhD-positive blood.[2] It is given by injection into muscle or a vein.[2] A single dose lasts 12 weeks.[2] It is made from human blood plasma.[3]

Common side effects include fever, headache, pain at the site of injection, and red blood cell breakdown.[2] Other side effects include allergic reactions, kidney problems, and a very small risk of viral infections.[2] In those with ITP, the amount of red blood cell breakdown may be significant.[2] Use is safe with breastfeeding.[2] Rho(D) immune globulin is made up of antibodies to the antigen Rho(D) present on some red blood cells.[2] It is believed to work by blocking a person's immune system from recognizing this antigen.[2]

Rho(D) immune globulin came into medical use in the 1960s,[4] following the pioneering work of John G. Gorman. In 1980, Gorman shared the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for pioneering work on the rhesus blood group system.[5]

RhIG is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6][7]

  1. ^ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Rho(D) Immune Globulin". Drugs.com. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  3. ^ British National Formulary: BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 871. ISBN 9780857111562.
  4. ^ Hatfield NT (2007). Broadribb's Introductory Pediatric Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 251. ISBN 9780781777063. OCLC 968617246 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Probyn A (2022-11-01). "A vial of human serum, an ice box and an illegal flight: how an Australian doctor saved millions of babies' lives". ABC News. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  6. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  7. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.