What is Cuvitru: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 31, 2020

Cuvitru overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Gammaplex 5%, Gammaplex 10%, Gammagard S/D (IgA less than 1 mcg/mL), GamaSTAN S/D, Flebogamma 10% DIF, Flebogamma 5% DIF, Gamastan, Cuvitru, Cutaquig, Carimune NF, Bivigam, Hizentra, Asceniv, Octagam 10%, Octagam, Cutaquig, Cuvitru, Xembify, Hizentra

Generic Names:

  • Cuvitru

Uses:

  • Treats problems with your immune system. Helps prevent infection or make infection less severe., Treats problems with your immune system. Helps prevent infections or makes the infection less severe (including hepatitis A, chickenpox, measles, or rubella). Treats disorders that involve the muscle and nervous systems. Also used to improve muscle strength and disability in certain patients.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Immune Serum, Immune Serum

Forms:

  • Injectable, Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection, By injection

What is Cuvitru used for?

Hizentra is used to build up the body's weak immune system to fight infections. It is an immune globulin drug made from human plasma that is made up of antibodies to help the body fight and protect itself from infections caused by diseases. Hizentra is also used to treat various primary immunodeficiency (PI) which includes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, the humoral immune defect in congenital agammaglobulinemia, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, common variable immunodeficiency, and severe combined immunodeficiencies.

What form(s) does Cuvitru come in

  • Injectable

  • Injectable

What are common Cuvitru doses?

  • Vial 10ML of 2GM/10ML

Common Cuvitru prescriptions

  • Cuvitru
    10ml of 2gm/10ml vial

  • Cuvitru
    20ml of 4gm/20ml vial

  • Cuvitru
    40ml of 8gm/40ml vial

  • Cuvitru
    50ml of 10gm/50ml vial

  • Cuvitru
    5ml of 1gm/5ml vial

How to take Cuvitru

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Allow this medicine to reach room temperature before using it.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Storage instructions: If you store this medicine at home, ask your pharmacist or health caregiver how to store it. Some brands should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Other brands must be stored in the refrigerator.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Allow this medicine to reach room temperature before using it.

  • Storage instructions: If you store this medicine at home, ask your pharmacist or health caregiver how to store it. Some brands should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Other brands must be stored in the refrigerator.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has flecks (particles) floating in it. Do not heat up or shake the medicine.

  • Keep a treatment diary or logbook to record details about each injection, such as time, date, dose, lot number, and reactions.

  • Do not change the brand or type of your immune globulin unless your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. You may refrigerate the medicine, but do not freeze it. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before you use it.

  • Keep a treatment diary or logbook to record details about each injection, such as time, date, dose, lot number, and reactions.

  • Injection routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has flecks (particles) floating in it. Do not heat up or shake the medicine.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. You may refrigerate the medicine, but do not freeze it. Allow the medicine to reach room temperature before you use it.

  • Do not change the brand or type of your immune globulin unless your doctor tells you to.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

What to do if you miss a dose of Cuvitru

Cuvitru contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to human immune globulin, or if you have hyperprolinemia (too much proline in the blood), fructose or sucrose intolerance, or an immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibodies against IgA.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to immune globulin.

Cuvitru warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, heart disease, blood clotting problems, or diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you have IgA deficiency or antibodies, or high levels of proline

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Blood clots, which could lead to heart attack or strokeSerious kidney or lung problemsLow sodium or high protein levels in your bloodAseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS)Bleeding, hemolytic anemia

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you are concerned.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, eye pain, eye sensitivity to light

  • Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, anemia, blood clotting problems, diabetes, atherosclerosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), protein problems (including paraproteinemia or hyperproteinemia), any type of infection, problems with your immune system, or a history of heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to corn or latex or if you are having a surgery that requires inactivity for a long time.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney problemsIncreased risk of blood clots in your heart, lungs, or brainAseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS)Bleeding problems (including hemolysis or hemolytic anemia)High blood pressureLung problems, including transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. All donated blood is tested for certain viruses. Although your risk for getting a virus from the medicine is very low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius)

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf), numbness or weakness in your arm or leg or on one side of your body

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Severe back, stomach, chest, or side pain

  • Stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, eye pain, eye sensitivity to light

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Dark, red, or brown urine

Cuvitru interactions

  • Talk to your doctor before you get any live virus vaccines while you are receiving immune globulin. Some vaccines may not work as well while you are using this medicine. You should not get a live virus vaccine for up to 6 months after receiving Gamastan®.

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you are concerned.

  • Some medicines can affect how immune globulin works. Tell your doctor if you are also using estrogen, heparin, or any medicine that may affect your kidneys.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how immune globulin works. Tell your doctor about any medicine you use that affects your kidneys, or if you are also using heparin or estrogen (including birth control pills).

  • This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you are concerned.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Cuvitru side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Blue lips or fingernails, trouble breathing

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Chills, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting during the infusion

  • Stiff neck, headache, fever, eye pain, eye sensitivity to light

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf), numbness or weakness in your arm or leg or on one side of your body

  • Dark, red, or brown urine

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness

  • Severe back, stomach, chest, or side pain

  • Confusion, weakness, muscle twitching

  • Fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius)

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling red skin rash

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Severe trouble breathing, fever, blue lips or fingers

  • Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood

  • Stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, eye pain, eye sensitivity to light

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Low fever

  • Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, warmth, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given

  • Mild headache or pain

  • Mild headache or back, joint, or muscle pain

  • Low fever

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Diarrhea, stomach pain or upset

  • Pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling, warmth, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed or shot is given

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