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Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) provides passive immunization for individuals exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) as evidenced by a reduction in the attack rate of hepatitis B following its use.^1-6 The administration of the usual recommended dose of this immune globulin generally results in a detectable level of circulating anti-HBs which persists for approximately 2 months or longer. The highest antibody (IgG) serum levels were seen in the following distribution of subjects studied: ⁷

Mean values for half-life were between 17.5 and 25 days, with the shortest being 5.9 days and the longest 35 days.⁷

Cases of type B hepatitis are rarely seen following exposure to HBV in persons with preexisting anti-HBs. No confirmed instance of transmission of hepatitis B has been associated with this product.

In a clinical study in eight healthy human adults receiving another hyperimmune immune globulin product treated with solvent/detergent, Rabies Immune Globulin (Human), HyperRAB™ S/D, prepared by the same manufacturing process, detectable passive antibody titers were observed in the serum of all subjects by 24 hours post injection and persisted through the 21 day study period. These results suggest that passive immunization with immune globulin products is not affected by the solvent/detergent treatment.

REFERENCES

1. Grady GF, Lee VA: Hepatitis B immune globulin — prevention of hepatitis from accidental exposure among medical personnel. N Engl J Med 293(21):1067–70, 1975.

2. Seeff LB, Zimmerman HJ, Wright EC, et al: Efficacy of hepatitis B immune serum globulin after accidental exposure. Lancet2(7942):939-41, 1975.

3. Krugman S, Giles JP: Viral hepatitis, type B (MS-2-strain). Further observations on natural history and prevention. N Engl J Med 288(15):755-60, 1973.

4. Current trends: Health status of Indochinese refugees: malaria and hepatitis B. MMWR 28(39):463-4; 469-70, 1979.

5. Jhaveri R, Rosenfeld W, Salazar JD, et al: High titer multiple dose therapy with HBIG in newborn infants of HBsAg positive mothers. J Pediatr 97(2):305–8, 1980.

6. Hoofnagle JH, Seeff LB, Bales ZB, et al: Passive-active immunity from hepatitis B immune globulin. Ann Intern Med 91(6):813-8, 1979.

7. Scheiermann N, Kuwert EK: Uptake and elimination of hepatitis B immunoglobulins after intramuscular application in man. Dev Biol Stand 54:347-55, 1983.

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/11/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.