Different Brands?

I started out on Gammagard, then went to a hospital where the ‘brand’ was routinely changed w/out notice [as available-even tho appointments were made 2 weeks in advance]
I have had: Gammagard, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard Powder and Polygam…all of which were charged to my insurance company as ‘Gammagard’. The FDA clearly states that should an IVIG product be substituted from the physicians prescribed brand, that the IG provider MUST notify that physician within 10 working days and that the physician must notify the patient within another 10 days of ANY stubstition. Why? Because some reactions and allergies can and do occur.
I am now on Gammunex and am so far happy with it.
Reactions I have gotten are a skin rash which has been successfully treated with steroid ointments, and the usual headaches, for which LOTS of benedryl prior to treatment is taken.
I have had some severe reactions, mainly headache-wise, but only once – due to a poorly prepared/handled batch of an alternate brand – the kind of headache categorized as ‘aseptic meningitis’. That reaction is the only BAD one I have had in the 4-5 years I have had infusions. So compared to many I cannot complain at all.
I suggest that you check out IG Living Magazine and a sponsor of theirs FFF Enterprises? Why? Because they post monthly the going gram rate for different brands of IVIG. The costs per gram for this has increased almost double since I’ve been on it and the difference in BRAND vs. cost varies somewhat.. One is substantially less than others? Look at the sources and how they are manufactured…lots of it is a ‘mystery-or trade secret’ but lots of it is clear and open to learn about.