💉 Anti-Rabies Immunoglobulin (ARIG)
📄 Description:
Anti-rabies immunoglobulin (ARIG) provides immediate passive immunity against the rabies virus following exposure. It is administered alongside rabies vaccine in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for category III exposures (e.g. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin).
- Form: Injectable solution
- Types:
- Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG)
- Equine Rabies Immunoglobulin (ERIG)
- Route: Infiltrated into and around the wound, remainder IM
📝 Prescription:
- Indicated for: Category III rabies exposures in individuals not previously vaccinated against rabies
- Administered only by trained healthcare professionals
- Always given along with the first dose of the rabies vaccine
🌿 Nature:
- Biological product containing rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies
- Derived from human or equine (horse) plasma
- Provides passive immunity until active immunity develops from the vaccine
✅ Advantages:
- Offers immediate protection at the site of viral entry
- Life-saving when used promptly in conjunction with rabies vaccine
- Reduces risk of rabies, which is otherwise 100% fatal if untreated
- HRIG has lower risk of allergic reactions than ERIG
⚠️ Precautions:
- Must be administered as early as possible, ideally within 24–48 hours after exposure
- Do not exceed the calculated dose based on body weight
- Inject directly into and around the wound; if excess, give IM at a distant site from vaccine
- Avoid mixing with rabies vaccine in the same syringe or at the same site
- Monitor for signs of allergic reactions, especially with ERIG (equine-derived)
🧊 Storage:
- Store at 2°C to 8°C (refrigerator)
- Do not freeze
- Protect from light and heat
- Use within the expiry date, and do not reuse vials
📦 Common Packaging:
- Supplied in vials of:
- 2 mL or 5 mL (ERIG or HRIG)
- HRIG: 150 IU/mL
- ERIG: 300 IU/mL
- Label includes:
- Strength
- Batch number
- Manufacturer
- Expiry date
👨⚕️ Patient Advice (Short Points):
- Inform the doctor about any allergies or past rabies vaccination.
- ARIG is not a vaccine—it gives immediate protection while the vaccine builds immunity.
- It is injected into and around the wound—this may cause temporary discomfort.
- You must complete the full rabies vaccine course as advised.
- Avoid rubbing or pressing the injection area.
- Monitor for any signs of rash, swelling, or breathing difficulty—report to your doctor.
- Maintain wound hygiene—do not apply ointments or bandages unless instructed.
- Do not skip or delay vaccine doses even if ARIG was given.