Drug Database: Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin (Human)

What is Varizig?What is Varizig?

What is Varizig?

Varizig is an immune globulin prescription product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of chickenpox (also called varicella or primary varicella infection) in people at high risk for severe disease, such as pregnant women, premature infants, children and adults who are immunocompromised, and others. Varizig is intended to reduce the severity of chickenpox if infection occurs.

Chickenpox can be an opportunistic infection (OI) of HIV. An OI is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as people with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems. To learn more about opportunistic infections, read the HIVinfo What is an Opportunistic Infection? fact sheet.

How is Varizig used in people with HIV?How is Varizig used in people with HIV?

How is Varizig used in people with HIV?

What should I tell my health care provider before receiving Varizig?What should I tell my health care provider before receiving Varizig?

What should I tell my health care provider before receiving Varizig?

Before receiving Varizig, tell your health care provider:

• If you are allergic to Varizig or any other medicines.
• About any medical conditions you have or have had, particularly:
  • If you have ever had an anaphylactic reaction or a severe systemic allergic reaction to human immune globulin preparations.
  • If you are deficient in immunoglobulin A (IgA)
  • If you have atherosclerosis, heart problems or risk factors for heart problems, increased blood viscosity (thickness), low levels of blood platelets, or blood clotting problems
• If you are or will be unable to move for extended periods of time.
• About anything that may prevent you from receiving medicine by injection.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of receiving Varizig during pregnancy. The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV may include other recommendations on the use of Varizig during pregnancy. Please refer to these guidelines for additional information.
• If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. For mothers with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. Mothers with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk. Although most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, some medicines should be avoided. Always let your health care provider know about all the medicines and supplements you are using before you start breastfeeding.
• About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Varizig may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how Varizig works. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between Varizig and the medicines you take.

How is Varizig given?How is Varizig given?

How is Varizig given?

Varizig is given by a health care provider as an injection into the muscle. Varizig dosing is based on a person’s weight. The dose may be divided.

In certain people with HIV, Varizig should be given as soon as possible and within 10 days after exposure to a person with active chickenpox or shingles. A person re-exposed to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) more than 3 weeks after receiving Varizig may get a second dose of the drug.

What side effects can Varizig cause?What side effects can Varizig cause?

What side effects can Varizig cause?

Varizig may cause side effects that can be mild or serious. To learn about possible side effects of Varizig, see the FDA drug label or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

Where can I find more information about Varizig?Where can I find more information about Varizig?

Where can I find more information about Varizig?

• Recommendations on the HIV-related uses of Varizig, from the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV and the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV.
• This Patient Version drug summary is based on the following FDA label(s): Injection (sterile solution). The Patient Counseling Information section of the label includes information for people receiving Varizig.

• Varizig-related research studies, from ClinicalTrials.gov. (The ClinicalTrials.gov search can be modified so that you can get results that better match your interests.)