Gammagard and Natpara

• Generic Name: immune globulin intravenous and subcutaneous
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution
• Other Brand Names: Gammagard, Gammaked, Gamunex-C, Gammagard Liquid

Gammagard (immune globulin) is a sterilized solution made from human plasma. It contains the antibodies to help your body protect itself against infection from various diseases.

Gammagard is used to treat primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI) in adults and children two years of age or older.

Gammagard is also used as maintenance therapy to improve muscle strength and disability in adult patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN. MMN is a rare disease that causes muscle weakness that worsens over time. It affects the strength of the lower parts of arms and hands more than the legs, usually without affecting the touch sensation.

There are many forms of PI. The most common types of PI result in an inability to make a very important type of protein called antibodies, which help the body fight off infections from bacteria or viruses.

Gammagard is made from human plasma that is donated by healthy people. It contains antibodies collected from these healthy people that replace the missing antibodies in PI patients.

• Generic Name: parathyroid hormone
• Dosage Forms: injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
• Other Brand Names: Natpara

Natpara (parathyroid hormone) is a manmade form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.

Natpara is used together with calcium and vitamin D to treat hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood) in people who also have low levels of parathyroid hormone.

Natpara is usually given after calcium and vitamin D alone have been tried without success.

Natpara is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of this medicine.