Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin human 5,000units/50ml solution for infusion vials
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin is obtained from pooled adult human plasma selected for high titers of antibody for cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Safety information for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Source: DrugBank (CC BY-NC 4.0).
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MHRA alerts for Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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2 branded products available
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin on the MHRA register
Cytotect CP Biotest 5,000units/50ml solution for infusion vials
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(1)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
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NHS UK identifiers
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 16 · Randomised trials: 2 · 1975–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
W. Rawlinson, S. Boppana, K. Fowler, et al.
The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2017
Klaudia Gutowska, Anna Kucińska-Chahwan, Marta Bednarek, et al.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2026
Abstract Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading infectious cause of long-term neuro-sensory impairment. Aim of meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of antenatal immunoglobulin therapy—particularly cytomegalovirus-specific hyperimmune globulin (HIG)—in preventing vertical transmission and congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) in pregnancies complicated by primary maternal CMV infection. A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis Online, Wiley Online Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar identified randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies including pregnant women with serologically confirmed primary CMV infection. Eligible interventions included antenatal CMV-specific or non-specific immunoglobulins (vs placebo, usual care, historical controls, or no treatment), although all included studies evaluated CMV-specific HIG. Controlled studies showed no significant reduction in transmission (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54–1.00; p = 0.051) with moderate heterogeneity. The pooled transmission rate after HIG was 27.2%, with substantial heterogeneity. Current evidence does not support routine antenatal immunoglobulin to prevent cCMV.
Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0
Diao Y, Zong Y, Xu R, et al.
2026
BackgroundThe incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is increasing. This study explored the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis of gastric lesions caused by CMV infection.MethodsThis is a systematic review of the literature on CMV infection involving the stomach.ResultsA total of 39 English publications reporting 44 cases of CMV gastritis were identified through literature retrieval. Clinically, patients with CMV gastritis commonly presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic findings most frequently included mucosal ulcers (54.55%), erosions (27.27%), and erythema (20.45%). Most patients had a history of immunosuppression, such as AIDS, postorgan transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, or long-term use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. The diagnosis was primarily confirmed by endoscopic biopsy combined with CMV DNA quantitative testing. The majority of patients improved after antiviral therapy, while a small subset experienced spontaneous resolution. However, a few cases (2.27%) progressed to gastric cancer, and some (4.55%) resulted in death.ConclusionIn patients with a history of immunosuppression presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding, CMV gastritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsy with histopathological examination plays a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Valente Dias J, Marçal M, Tuna M
2026
- Milk, Human
- Cytomegalovirus Infections
- Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Jiangshan Tan, Jia-meng Ren, Luyun Fan, et al.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2022
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Venous Thrombosis
- Coronary Artery Disease
R. Razonable, A. Humar
Clinical Transplantation, 2019
Michael Byrne, Amelia A. Langston, Garrett S. Booth
British Journal of Haematology, 2021
- Cytomegalovirus
- Cytomegalovirus Infections
- Immunoglobulin G
E. Reed, R. Bowden, P. S. Dandliker, et al.
Annals of internal medicine, 1988
C. Lunardi, C. Bason, R. Navone, et al.
Nature Medicine, 2000
Betina B. Trabjergb, Marianne Giørtz Pedersenb, Janna Nissena, et al.
Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2019
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
25 days
Mechanism
CMV—IGIV mainly consists of immunoglobulin G (IgG), specifically subclasses IgG1 and IgG3.
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
None mapped
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
3 months
Half-life
25 days
[L2227]
Volume of distribution
[L2227]
Metabolism
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes virus family, is ubiquitous the human population, leading to infections which are followed by life-long dormancy in the host with occasional reactivations and recurrent infections. The seroprevalence of antibodies in adults ranges from 40-100 % with an inverse correlation to socioeconomic status. The transmission of cytomegalovirus infection requires intimate contact with infected excretions such as saliva, urine, cervical and vaginal excretions, semen, breast milk and blood [L2228].
CMV infection can lead to a high fever and severe organ-specific damage with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) may lead to a wide spectrum of infection in immunocompetent hosts. Sites most often involved include the lung (severe community-acquired viral pneumonia), liver (transaminitis), spleen (splenomegaly), GI tract (colitis), CNS (encephalitis), the hematologic system (cytopenias), and multisystem involvement [L2230].
During the span of an individual's life, the virus may reactivate, resulting in repeated shedding and spread of the virus. Molecular mechanisms have been identified by which show that CMVs interfere with the host immune system. Finally, however, the infection is normally controlled by the host's immune response. As a consequence, CMV disease is restricted to the immunocompromised or immunologically immature host, in which it can lead the devastating result of transplant rejection [A32498], [L2229].
[L2225]
Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) is indicated for the prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease associated with transplantation of kidney, lung, liver, pancreas, and heart [FDA label].
In transplants of these organs other than the kidney from CMV seropositive donors into seronegative recipients, prophylactic CMV-IGIV should be considered in combination with ganciclovir [FDA label].
Known interactions with other medicines. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 378 interactions
[L2228]
Renal Failure
Renal dysfunction, acute renal failure (ARF), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), proximal tubular nephropathy, osmotic nephrosis, and death reported in patients receiving IGIV. Increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine have occurred as soon as 1–2 days following IGIV treatment and this has progressed to oliguria or anuria .
[L2231]
TRALI (transfusion-associated lung injury)
TRALI is characterized by severe respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, normal left ventricular function, and fever.
It typically occurs within 1-6 hours after transfusion of the immunoglobulin. Patients with TRALI should be managed using oxygen therapy combined with ventilatory support [FDA label].
Hemolysis
Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) (IGIV) products may contain blood group antibodies which may act as hemolysins and induce in vivo coating of red blood cells with immunoglobulin, causing a positive direct antiglobulin reaction and, sometimes, hemolysis. Hemolytic anemia may develop after IGIV therapy due to enhanced red blood cell sequestration [FDA label].
**Thrombotic events
Patients at risk include those with a history of atherosclerosis, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, advanced age, impaired cardiac output, and/or known or suspected hyperviscosity.
The possible risks and benefits of IGIV should be weighed against those of alternative therapies for all patients for whom IGIV administration is being considered. Baseline assessment of blood viscosity are an important consideration for patients at risk for blood hyperviscosity [FDA label].
Aseptic meningitis syndrome**
An aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS) has been reported to occur infrequently in association with Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) (IGIV) treatment. The syndrome normally begins within several hours to 2 days after treatment.
This syndrome is characterized by symptoms and signs including severe headache, nuchal rigidity, drowsiness, fever, photophobia, painful eye movements, and nausea and vomiting [FDA label].
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies are frequently positive with pleocytosis up to several thousand cells per cu.mm., predominantly from the granulocytic series, and elevated protein levels up to several hundred mg/dL. Patients experiencing such symptoms and signs must receive a thorough neurological assessment, including CSF studies, to rule out other possible causes of meningitis. This condition may occur more frequently in association with high doses (2 g/kg or greater) of IGIV treatment.
Discontinuation of IGIV treatment has been followed by the remission of aseptic meningitis syndrome within several days without long-term sequelae [FDA label].
Cytomegalovirus immune globulin (CMV-IGIV) is categorized in FDA pregnancy risk category C. No well-controlled studies have been completed in pregnant women and it is unknown whether CMV-IGIV may cause female harm or negatively affect the reproductive system. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, administration of immune globulin to pregnant women results in no known risk to the fetus [FDA label].
No data are available from the manufacturer regarding the use of cytomegalovirus immune globulin (CMV-IGIV) while breastfeeding and it is unknown whether CMV-IGIV is excreted in breast milk .
[L2227]
Immunoglobulins, such as CMV-IGIV, inhibit extracellular viruses from infecting their specific target cells. Viral neutralization decreases the capacity of viruses to spread from an extracellular location to an intracellular location. CMV-IGIV inhibits infection of cells with CMV due to the fact that the virus is prevented from accessing key cell membrane targets, or because of interference with uncoating or entry. Cytogam inhibits these process [L2227].
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L2227]
[L2227]
[L2227]
IgG metabolism appears to be a multicompartmental, first-order process.
Higher IgG concentrations increase the rate of metabolism and shorten its half-life. IgG metabolism is likely a multicompartmental, first-order process .
[L2227]
ATC J06BB09
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Human cytomegalovirus immune globulin
Matched from: Cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite:
- DrugBank 6.02024Recommended citationKnox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et alDrugBank 6.0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275
- DrugBank 5.02018Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank 5.0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082
- DrugBank 4.02014Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et alDrugBank 4.0: shedding new light on drug metabolismNucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7
- DrugBank 3.02011Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et alDrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugsNucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41
- DrugBank 2.02008Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.Nucleic Acids Research2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6
- DrugBank 1.02006Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.Nucleic Acids Research2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72