HUMAN TETANUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN (HTIG)

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    Therapeutic action

    • Neutralisation of tetanus toxin. HTIG provides passive immunization against tetanus for 3 to 4 weeks.

    Indications

    • Prevention of tetanus in wound management, in patients non immunised or incompletely immunised or in patients whose immunisation status is unknown, in combination with tetanus vaccine
    • Treatment of clinical tetanus

    Forms and strengths, route of administration

    • Solution for injection, in 250 IU (250 IU/ml, 1 ml) or 500 IU (250 IU/ml, 2 ml) ampoule or single-dose syringe, for IM injection.
      DO NOT ADMINISTER BY IV ROUTE.

    Dosage and duration

    Prevention of tetanus

    • HTIG is administered in the event of tetanus-prone wounds, e.g. wounds with fracture, deep penetrating wounds, bite wounds, wounds containing foreign bodies, wounds contaminated with soil, infected wounds, extensive tissue damage (contusions, burns).
      Child and adult: 250 IU single dose; 500 IU if more than 24 hours has elapsed
    • HTIG should be administered as soon as possible after injury, along with the tetanus vaccine, in a separate syringe and injection site.

     

    Treatment of tetanus

    • Neonate, child and adult: 500 IU single dose, to be injected into 2 different sites

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with known allergy to HTIG.
    • May cause (very rarely): allergic reactions.
    • Ensure that the HTIG does not enter a blood vessel (risk of shock): aspirate prior to injection to confirm that the needle is not in a vein.
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • For minor clean wounds, tetanus vaccine is administered alone.
    • SC route may be used but only if IM route is contra-indicated.

    Storage

     
    –  Between 2 °C and 8 °C. Do not freeze.