The prescribed dosage for Hizentra (immune globulin subcutaneous [human]) may vary depending on an individual’s treatment plan. Other factors, including your specific diagnosis, body weight, and medical history, may affect your dosage of Hizentra.

Hizentra is a prescription drug used to treat:

The drug comes as a solution for subcutaneous injection (under the skin). The frequency of doses varies according to the condition being treated.

The active ingredient in Hizentra is immune globulin (human). Hizentra belongs to a group of drugs called immune globulins.

This article describes the dosages of Hizentra, as well as its strengths and how to use it.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Hizentra. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those mentioned here.

Hizentra form

Hizentra is available as a liquid in a vial or prefilled syringe. You infuse it subcutaneously (under the skin) using an infusion pump.

Hizentra strengths

Hizentra’s vials and prefilled syringes come in four strengths in milliliters (mL), as follows:

  • 5 mL
  • 10 mL
  • 20 mL
  • 50 mL

Hizentra is approved to treat CIDP in adults. Your treatment with Hizentra will begin about 1 week after your last intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment. (Examples of IVIg medications are Privigen, Gammagard Liquid, and Panzyga.)

The typical Hizentra dosage for adults with CIDP is in grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. The dosage is 0.2 g/kg (1 mL/kg) of body weight per week. (For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds.) You’ll administer this in one or two infusions over 1 or 2 consecutive days.

If your CIDP symptoms worsen, your doctor may consider increasing your dosage to 0.4 g/kg (2 mL/kg) of body weight per week. You’ll administer this in two infusions over 1 or 2 consecutive days.

Your doctor will monitor your body’s response to the medication. If your CIDP symptoms worsen with the higher dose, they may have you restart therapy with an IVIg medication. They will also likely have you stop using Hizentra.

Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from using your medication.

Hizentra is approved to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in adults. The typical Hizentra dosage for adults depends on your other treatments. These are IVIg therapy and immune globulin subcutaneous (IGSC) therapy. (Examples of IVIg medications are Privigen, Gammagard Liquid, and Panzyga. Examples of IGSC medications are Xembify, Cuvitru, and Hyqvia.)

Calculating your dosage

  • If you’re switching from IVIg: Your doctor will use a specific calculation to convert your monthly IVIg dose into a weekly equivalent. Using this result, they’ll prescribe your specific dosage of Hizentra. Depending on what they prescribe, your frequency of doses could be up to every 2 weeks, more often, or even daily.
  • If you’re switching from IGSC: Your doctor will prescribe the same weekly dosage of Hizentra that you received weekly for IGSC. But they may divide your dose to be administered at different intervals. Depending on what they prescribe, your frequency of doses could be several times per week or every 2 weeks.

Starting Hizentra

  • For weekly or more frequent Hizentra dosing: You’ll start treatment with Hizentra 1 week after your last IVIg or IGSC infusion.
  • For biweekly Hizentra dosing (every 2 weeks): You’ll start treatment with Hizentra 1 or 2 weeks after your last IVIg infusion or 1 week after your last weekly IGSC infusion.

Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from using your medication.

Hizentra is approved to treat PI in children ages 2 years and older.

The dosage of Hizentra for children is the same as the dosage for adults receiving Hizentra for PI. (See the “Dosage for treating primary immunodeficiency (PI) in adults” section.)

For more information about Hizentra’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist. Always follow the prescribing instructions from your child’s doctor. Notify them if your child experiences any side effects that may prevent them from receiving the medication.

You administer Hizentra subcutaneously (under the skin) using an infusion pump. You should infuse Hizentra only after your doctor or healthcare professional has trained you how to do it. They or your pharmacist will also advise you how to use your infusion pump.

Before each infusion of Hizentra, ensure that you are well hydrated.

Typically, recommendations for infusing Hizentra include:

  • Choose your infusion site: You may infuse Hizentra into the abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or back of hip (above the buttock). Be sure the infusion sites are at least 2 inches apart. You can use multiple infusion sites (up to 8) and more than one infusion pump at the same time in an infusion. Change infusion sites each time you infuse Hizentra. Do not use sites where the skin has scars or stretch marks or where it’s bruised, tender, red, or hard.
  • Clean the skin: Use an antiseptic skin product to clean the skin at each infusion site. Allow the skin to dry.
  • Set the infusion volume: Depending on how you tolerate the infusion, you may need to decrease the following infusion volume.
    • For CIDP: For the first infusion, do not exceed a volume of up to 20 mL at each infusion site. For infusions after that, you may increase the volume to 50 mL at each infusion site.
    • For PI: For the first infusion, do not exceed a volume of 15 mL at each infusion site. For infusions after that, you may increase the volume to 25 mL at each infusion site.
  • Set the infusion rate: Depending on your tolerance for the infusion, you may need to decrease the infusion rates shown here.
    • For CIDP: For the first infusion, the recommended flow rate at each infusion site is up to 20 mL per hour. For infusions after that, you may increase the flow rate up to 50 mL per hour at each infusion site.
    • For PI: For the first infusion, the recommended flow rate at each infusion site is up to 15 mL per hour. For infusions after that, you may increase the flow rate to 25 mL per hour at each infusion site.
  • Complete the infusion: Upon completion of your infusion, disconnect the infusion materials. (Be sure to follow the pump manufacturer’s directions. Also follow any documentation your doctor provided for removing the needles and other materials.) Cover each infusion site with a protective dressing. Peel the removable label from the syringe or vial, and affix it to your log book. Note the date and time of your infusion. (If you’re recording the infusion electronically, scan the syringe or vial.)

You can read more about how to infuse Hizentra or watch a video about it on the manufacturer’s website.

How long do you use Hizentra?

Hizentra is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.