Patients Infusing video

XEMBIFY Self-Administration Video

Experience the freedom and flexibility of administering your own infusions with a routine that's convenient for you. Watch this instructional video designed to help you learn about XEMBIFY self-infusion so you can feel comfortable and prepared for therapy.

You can also follow the step-by-step instructions on how to infuse below.


Patients Infusing Before

Before the infusion

If the vial(s) of XEMBIFY is refrigerated, remove from the refrigerator prior to your infusion and allow the vial(s) to reach room temperature. This may take 60 minutes or longer. DO NOT apply heat to the vial(s) or place in the microwave. Instead, let the vial(s) warm to room temperature naturally.

patients infusing 1

Disinfecting the surface used for the subcutaneous immunoglobulin infusion

1. Disinfect surface to be used for your infusion with an alcohol wipe. Allow the vial(s) of XEMBIFY to reach room temperature. Set up all of the supplies you will need. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.

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Infusing XEMBIFY

patients infusing 1b

Checking the vial before the infusion

2. Check the vial(s) of XEMBIFY. Confirm the name and expiration date. If the product is past the expiration date, if the liquid is cloudy or has particles, or if the vial shows any sign of tampering, do not use that vial. Contact your healthcare provider for guidance in that case.

Removing tamper-resistant seal and protective cap from the vial

3. Remove the tamper-resistant seal and protective cap from the vial of XEMBIFY. Clean rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe and allow to air-dry. 

Syringe usage demonstration

4. Draw XEMBIFY into the syringe using either a needle or a transfer device. If you are using a needle, refer to Step 5. If using a transfer device, refer to Step 6.

Demonstration of how to insert the needle in the vial

5. Attach the needle to the syringe tip and remove the cap. Pull the syringe plunger back to the level of XEMBIFY you want to withdraw. Place the vial on a flat surface, insert the needle and inject air. Turn the vial and syringe upside down. Make sure the needle is placed below the fluid level and withdraw XEMBIFY.

Withdraw XEMBIFY from the vial using a syringe

6. Uncap the transfer device and attach it to the syringe. Place the vial on a flat surface and insert the device into the top of the vial. Turn the vial and syringe upside down and withdraw the desired amount of XEMBIFY. Then, remove the syringe and transfer device.

Attaching the infusion tubing and needle set to the syringe

7. Follow the pump manufacturer's instructions to attach the infusion tubing and needle set to the syringe. Be sure to prime the administration tubing by filling it with XEMBIFY. Make sure the needle remains dry while priming.

Xembify infusion sites highlighted; abdomen, thigh, upper arm, sides, back or hip.

8. XEMBIFY is infused in the abdomen, thigh, upper arm, sides, back, or hip. Select one or more infusion sites as directed by your healthcare provider. Be sure to choose sites that are different from your last infusion.

Preparing the infusion site by cleaning with an alcohol wipe

9. Prepare the infusion site(s) by cleaning with an alcohol wipe. The sites should be clean, dry, at least 2 inches apart, and 2 inches away from the belly button. Do not use more than 6 infusion sites at the same time.

Grasping the skin between 2 fingers and insert the needle into the subcutaneous tissue

10. Grasp the skin between 2 fingers and insert the needle into the subcutaneous tissue, which is the innermost layer of your skin. Secure needle with adhesive dressing. Repeat for other sites as needed.

Remove and discard the needle and tubing if you see blood when pulling back on the plunger

11. After securing the needle, make sure a blood vessel has not been entered. If you see blood when pulling back on the plunger, remove and discard the needle and tubing. Repeat steps 8-10 using a new needle, administration tubing, and a new infusion site.

Loading the syringe in the pump

12. Follow the pump manufacturer's instructions to load the syringe and start the infusion. The infusion is complete when the syringe is empty. Use XEMBIFY within 2 hours of drawing up in a syringe to avoid the potential formation of particles caused by siliconized syringes.

Patients Infusion After

After the infusion

  • Wash your hands again
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions to turn off the pump
  • Undo and discard any dressing or tape
  • Gently remove inserted needle(s)
  • Discard used needles and tubing in a sharps container
  • Store your supplies in a safe place
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions to care for the infusion pump

Patient Infusing Record

Record the infusion

Record each infusion in your Infusion Log Book by removing the peel-off labels with the product lot number(s) and expiration date(s) from the XEMBIFY vial(s) and sticking these into your Infusion Log Book.

Learn more about the Infusion Log Book and other resources so you can make every infusion of XEMBIFY as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Patients Infusing Be sure

Record each infusion in your Log Book, and remember to share it with your healthcare provider at your next visit.

Patients Infusing Please

Please see Important Safety Information and refer to full Prescribing Information for XEMBIFY.

Patient Infusing callout

Subcutaneous IG Therapy FAQs

View our FAQs about infusing XEMBIFY for more information.

What Is PI?

Understand more about the symptoms of PI and how it's diagnosed.

Resources

Learn how to register for XEMBIFY speaker programs, get educational resources, and find PI patient organizations.

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What is XEMBIFY®?

XEMBIFY® (immune globulin subcutaneous human–klhw) is a 20% immune globulin used in the treatment of primary humoral immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) in patients 2 years of age and older. XEMBIFY is for subcutaneous administration only.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: THROMBOSIS
  • Thrombosis (formation of blood clots within blood vessels) may occur with immune globulin products, including XEMBIFY. Before you take XEMBIFY, talk to your doctor if you:
    • Are older
    • Are sedentary (need to lie down or sit down) for long periods of time
    • Are taking estrogen-containing medicines (birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy)
    • Have a permanent intravenous (IV) catheter
    • Have hyperviscosity of the blood (diseases such as multiple myeloma or other causes of elevated proteins in the blood)
    • Have cardiovascular (heart) problems or previous history of stroke
  • Thrombosis may occur even if you don't have any risk factors
  • If you are at risk of thrombosis, your doctor may prescribe XEMBIFY at the minimum dose and infusion rate. Make sure you drink plenty of fluid before taking XEMBIFY. Make sure your doctor is checking you regularly for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and is checking your blood viscosity if you are at risk of hyperviscosity
Who should not use XEMBIFY?
  • XEMBIFY should not be used if you have had a severe allergic reaction to human immune globulin, or if you have been told by a doctor that you are IgA deficient and have developed antibodies to IgA and hypersensitivity after exposure to a previous plasma product
What are possible serious side effects of XEMBIFY?
  • Hypersensitivity. Severe allergic reactions may occur with immune globulin products, including XEMBIFY. If you have a severe allergic reaction, stop the infusion immediately and get medical attention. XEMBIFY contains IgA. If you have known antibodies to IgA, you may have a greater risk of developing potentially severe allergic reactions
  • Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS). Aseptic meningitis is a non-infectious inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain. It causes a severe headache syndrome, which may occur with human immune globulin treatment, including XEMBIFY. If you are showing signs and symptoms of AMS, your doctor may conduct a thorough neurological evaluation including spinal tap (sampling fluid which surrounds the spinal cord) to rule out other causes of meningitis. Stopping human immune globulin treatment has resulted in the end of signs and symptoms within several days. Treatment may include analgesics (pain medicines) and/or a special procedure known as a "blood patch" to stop headache
  • Kidney problems or failure. Kidney problems or failure may occur with use of human immune globulin products, especially those containing sucrose (sugar). XEMBIFY does not contain sucrose. If you have kidney disease or diabetes with kidney involvement, your doctor should perform a blood test to assess your hydration level and kidney function before beginning immune globulin treatment and at appropriate intervals thereafter. If your doctor determines that kidney function is worsening, they may discontinue treatment
  • Hemolysis. Your doctor should monitor you for symptoms of hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells causing anemia, or low red blood cell count). If your doctor suspects hemolysis, they should perform additional tests to confirm
  • Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). TRALI is a rare but serious syndrome characterized by sudden acute respiratory distress following transfusion. If your doctor suspects TRALI, they will monitor you for any other lung issues. TRALI may be managed with oxygen therapy
  • Transmissible infectious agents. Because XEMBIFY is made from human blood, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents such as viruses, the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) agent, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have been associated with the use of XEMBIFY
  • Interference with lab tests. Because XEMBIFY contains a variety of antibodies, blood tests to determine antibody levels may be falsely elevated. Be sure to tell your doctor or lab technician that you are using XEMBIFY
What are other possible side effects of XEMBIFY?
  • In clinical studies of XEMBIFY, some patients experienced local side effects (at the injection site) including pain, redness, puffiness, bruising, nodules, itching, firmness, scabbing and swelling at the site on the skin where the injection occurred. Some patients experienced non-injection-site side effects including cough and diarrhea.
  • Use of XEMBIFY may interfere with the immune response to virus vaccines, such as vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. Tell your doctor you are taking XEMBIFY before getting vaccinations

Please see full Prescribing Information for XEMBIFY.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 


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TERMS TO KNOW

PI, primary humoral immunodeficiency disease

SCIG, subcutaneous immune globulin