What is the Difference Between IVIG and Plasmapheresis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis are both therapeutic approaches for treating various medical conditions, but they have different mechanisms of action and composition.
- IVIG: This treatment consists of concentrated antibodies derived from multiple donors. It is prepared from the serum of thousands of donors and is administered intravenously. IVIG provides passive immunity by infusing antibodies into the patient's bloodstream.
- Plasmapheresis: This procedure involves removing the patient's plasma (the liquid portion of blood) and replacing it with a substitute solution. Plasmapheresis directly removes disease-associated antibodies and harmful factors from the bloodstream.
The effectiveness of IVIG and plasmapheresis depends on the specific condition being treated. Plasmapheresis is more effective at removing alloantibodies compared to IVIG. Both treatments have potential side effects, such as infections and allergic reactions, but IVIG generally has a better safety profile compared to plasmapheresis. The choice between IVIG and plasmapheresis depends on various factors, including patient characteristics, disease severity, and therapy goals.
Comparative Table: IVIG vs Plasmapheresis
Here is a table comparing the differences between IVIG and Plasmapheresis:
| Feature | IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) | Plasmapheresis |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Concentrated antibodies derived from multiple donors | Removal of patient's plasma and replacement with a substitute solution |
| Mechanism of Action | Provides passive immunity boost by infusing antibodies | Directly removes disease-associated antibodies and harmful factors from the bloodstream |
| Treatment Speed | Faster, administered at a dose of 200-400 mg/kg body weight over 5 days | Slower, requiring a series of treatments |
| Uses | Therapeutic purposes | Both donation and therapeutic purposes |
| Effectiveness | Disease-stabilizing therapy for autoimmune diseases | Disease-stabilizing therapy for autoimmune diseases |
| Side Effects | Headaches, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, blood clots, or renal damage | Similar side effects, but may also include central-line sepsis in some cases |
Both IVIG and Plasmapheresis are therapeutic approaches for treating autoimmune disorders, but they have different mechanisms of action and treatment speeds. IVIG provides a passive immunity boost by infusing antibodies, while Plasmapheresis directly removes disease-associated antibodies and harmful factors from the bloodstream.
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- Blood vs Plasma
- Plasma vs Serum
- Plasma Donation vs Blood Donation
- Fresh Frozen Plasma vs Cryoprecipitate
- Apheresis vs Dialysis
- Blood Transfusion vs Iron Infusion
- Blood Transfusion vs Dialysis
- Plasma vs Interstitial Fluid
- Plasmolysis vs Hemolysis
- IVM vs IVF
- B Cells vs Plasma Cells
- Plasma Cells vs Memory Cells
- IVF vs IUI
- Heparin vs Alteplase
- IV Infusion vs IV Bolus
- Platelet Plug vs Blood Clot