Potential Barriers to Switching From IVIg to SCIg
Not everyone with CIDP can switch to SCIg. For example, some people have an allergy to hyaluronidase or albumin, which is used with HyQvia.
If your dose of SCIg requires you to do multiple injections with each treatment, it can feel challenging and uncomfortable, says Nayar. “Local injection site reactions with skin changes can be bothersome.”
You can’t take SCIg at home if you can’t physically operate your self-infusion equipment or if you don’t have a caregiver to help, says Bath. SCIg may also not work well if your CIDP is progressing fast, and you need closer monitoring or dose adjustments, says Bath.
Besides the medical reasons, you may not want to leave your IVIg routine behind. “I do have patients who prefer IVIg because they enjoy the camaraderie of going to an infusion center,” says Bath.
You may also prefer not to switch for these reasons:
- Anxiety about the responsibility of self-injection or handling a pump
- Loved ones are unable to help with injections
- Lack of storage at home for infusion supplies
- More frequent injections (once a week vs. once every three or four weeks for some types)
- Uncomfortable swelling or skin reactions after an infusion
- Severe muscle weakness preventing self-infusion
