Definition

A sterile preparation of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) derived from large pools of human plasma. Upon administration, octagam provides passive immunization by increasing the recipient’s serum levels of circulating antibodies. IgG antibodies have multiple functions, including binding to and neutralizing bacterial toxins; opsonization of pathogens; activation of complement; and suppression of pathogenic cytokines and phagocytes through binding to CD5, interleukin-1a (IL-1a), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and T-cell receptors.