RHo (D) immune globulin is a sterilized solution made from human blood. Rh is a substance that most people have in their blood (Rh positive) but some people don't (Rh negative). A person who is Rh negative can be exposed to Rh positive blood through a mismatched blood transfusion or during pregnancy when the baby has the opposite blood type. When this exposure happens, the Rh negative blood will respond by making antibodies that will try to destroy the Rh positive blood cells. This can cause medical problems such as anemia (loss of red blood cells), kidney failure, or shock.

RHo (D) immune globulin is used to prevent an immune response to Rh positive blood in people with an Rh negative blood type. RHo (D) immune globulin may also be used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

RHo (D) immune globulin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin or if you have immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibody to IgA. You should not receive RHo (D) immune globulin if you have hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells).

Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or a history of coronary artery disease, high triglycerides, a bleeding disorder, or immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency.

If you are an Rh-negative woman and you become pregnant, you must tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to Rh-positive blood in your lifetime. This includes exposure from a mismatched blood transfusion, or exposure during your first pregnancy. Your history of exposure and treatment will be extremely important to each and every one of your pregnancies.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, chills, shaking, back pain, dark colored urine, rapid breathing, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual, swelling, rapid weight gain, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating, feeling light-headed.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine for at least 3 months after treatment with RHo (D) immune globulin. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.

You should not receive this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an immune globulin or if you have immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency with antibody to IgA. You should not receive RHo (D) immune globulin if you have hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells).

To make sure you can safely receive RHo (D) immune globulin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or a history of coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

• high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

• a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia); or

• immune globulin A (IgA) deficiency.

RHo (D) immune globulin is used during and after pregnancy. This medication is not known to be harmful to a baby during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

If you are receiving this medication to treat a mismatched blood transfusion, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you ever plan to become pregnant.

If you are an Rh-negative woman and you become pregnant, you must tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to Rh-positive blood in your lifetime. This includes exposure from a mismatched blood transfusion, or exposure during your first pregnancy. Your history of exposure and treatment will be extremely important to each and every one of your pregnancies.

RHo (D) immune globulin is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.