About IVIG Treatment

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is a medical treatment which bolsters the immune system by providing the patient with a large dose of immunoglobulin full of antibodies via infusion.

This therapy leverages the healing power of immunoglobulin, a natural substance found in human blood that is full of antibodies crucial to fighting infection and disease.​

The infusions also stimulate the body's natural production of antibodies, restoring its ability to fight off infections on its own.

IVIG treatment is administered intravenously. An infusion nurse inserts a needle into the patient's vein, connecting an infusion tube to a bag containing the immunoglobulin. Once the treatment begins, the immunoglobulin flows from the infusion bag through a tube into the patient's bloodstream.

Each IVIG treatment is about 4 to 8 hours. A single treatment session is actually broken into two shorter sessions over 2 days.

After each treatment, the body naturally breaks down about half of the immunoglobulin over the course of 3 to 4 weeks. In order to fortify the immune system and stave off infections, patients return about every 3-4 weeks for treatments.

Over time, these treatments typically spur the immune system to producing more immuglobulin on its own. At this stage, treatment sessions become less frequent. When the patient's immune system is successful in generating enough immunoglobulin on its own, the IVIG therapy is ended.

Click on the video on our home page to listen to Dr. Bouboulis, chief immunologist and founder of Superior Associates, explain IVIG as he tours the Superior Infusion Center. If you have more questions, please click on "Contact Us" to connect directly.