Gamma globulin therapy has proven to be a successful therapy for hepatitis A, measles and the autoimmune disorder Kawasaki disease (abnormal inflammation of the blood vessels) in children. In addition, this therapy can make a kidney donor and recipient compatible regardless of blood and tissue match, and can boost immunity for people who cannot produce gamma globulins naturally. However, gamma globulin therapy also comes with a risk of negative side effects.
Minor Side Effects
Patients receiving this form of therapy may experience headache, backache, muscle or joint pain, and overall feelings of fatigue or illness. These effects should subside as the body becomes accustomed to the therapy. If these problem persist or become worse, consult your physician.
Serious Side Effects
Although rare, gamma globulin therapy can cause serious side effects, including breathing problems and a fast or pounding heart beat. Consult a physician as soon a possible if these symptoms develop.
Signs of Overdose
If a patient undergoing gamma globulin therapy develops chest tightness, sweating, a red face, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, a physician should be consulted immediately as overdose may have occurred.
Heart Attack and Stroke Risk
According to researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, gamma globulin may actually induce stroke or heart attack in elderly patients with multiple risk factors. The research concluded that the occurrence of one risk factor had no impact on cardiac or stroke risk after gamma globulin therapy. The study concluded that the incidence of heart attack or stroke increased with the presence of two or more risk factors. When four or more risk factors were present, patients were found to be 10 times more susceptible to having a cardiac event or stroke in the two weeks following gamma globulin treatment.
The risk factors that were measured during the course of this study were coronary artery disease, cigarette use, high blood pressure, previous stroke or blood clots, diabetes and high cholesterol.
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