Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For hepatitis B immune globulin (human), the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to hepatitis B or any other human immune globulin . Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding— It is not known whether hepatitis B immune globulin (human) passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of hepatitis B immune globulin (human) in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of hepatitis B immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking hepatitis B immune globulin (human), it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Vaccines made from a live virus (except the oral poliovirus vaccine or yellow fever vaccine)—Hepatitis B immune globulin (human) may interfere with how well the vaccine will work

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hepatitis B immune globulin (human). Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems— Because hepatitis B immune globulin (human) is given as a shot into a muscle, it may cause more bleeding

• Immune system problems—Hepatitis B immune globulin (human) may cause severe allergic reactions