Hizentra User Reviews & Ratings

• TWa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 15, 2020

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Hizentra has been life-changing for me. I’ve been doing home infusion for 9 years. I am very seldom sick now. Before Hizentra, I was sick more than not. I suffered with MRSA, sinus infections, strep infections, along with whatever viruses were going around. Now I am well more than sick. So thankful for Hizentra."

• Aug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I just had my third subcutaneous infusion of Hizentra. I have had a few side effects, such as itching at injection sites only on the first infusion. Today, I had a small headache and heartburn. I was easily able to treat this with OTC meds. But the good news is I am able to do things I love for the first time in 15 years. Don’t wait to get this med started. I hope you will be a success story too!"

• Ori...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2019

"I've been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome for 10 years. I've used intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 9 years and subcutaneous for 1 year. Over the 9 years, I've had Gammagard, Gamunex, Gamunex-C, Privigen, and others. The worst was Privigen. At best, I had flu-like conditions and the worst was anaphylactic shock. Gammagard was my go-to for 80% of the 9 years of IVIG and worked well for me. After 9 years of infusion centers and dealing with getting to know other patients that had cancer, I just couldn't take the emotional toll. I switched to self-infusing with Hizentra a little over a year ago. It took about a month to get back into my old swing of how I felt. After that, things just got better. I don't experience the monthly cycle of the IVIG rollercoaster ride of feeling great to like crud before the next infusion. Since Hizentra, subq, is weekly, I'm always just a day or two away from my next infusion if I overextended myself and wore the good off the infusion. Hope this review helps."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2018

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I infused Hizentra for 3 months, and although I had no infections during that time, my doctor took me off due to adverse side effects. I had flu-like symptoms such as severe fatigue and muscle and joint pain, and felt horrible every day. Eventually, I also had extreme kidney pain after every infusion. There are different stabilizers in each drug, and I was told I was probably allergic to the stabilizer in Hizentra. I switched to Cuvitru, which has a different stabilizer, and I am doing much better, with no pre-meds and minimal side effects. My IG levels are also higher on Cuvitru."

• Bod...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2013

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I take Hizentra once per week, and I have not had any infections, sickness, or any other problems. The prep is very easy, and afterwards, just a few lumps that slowly disappear after a few hours. Once a week at home, and after 2 years with no infections, it has been great."

• yde...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2025

For Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy "It helped me well for nearly three years. Then my doctor changed me to something else. While in the changeover, I discovered that I had several things go away that I thought were actually caused by my CIDP. I was having severe tremors, slow movements, bad paresthesia, and other small issues. Now that I have been off of the Hizentra, these problems seem to be going away slowly. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the medication. It did wonders for me and helped my body immensely. I can walk better instead of being in bed all of the time, etc."

• Can...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2020

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I am 62, have been on Hizentra infusions for 2 years, and do the infusions in my stomach. Over the last year, my stomach has gotten really puffy and bloated. I called the Hizentra pharmacy, and they told me that was a side effect to change infusion sites. I will do that and let you know what happens."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2018

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I have been on Hizentra for over a year. I had a few side effects the first few infusions. I am glad to report that for the first time in my 62 years, I was not sick at all since I started the infusions. It has been life-changing for me!"

• dan...
• November 15, 2013

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I have only been on Hizentra for one month, so imagine it has not had time to work. Within that month, I have had 2 sinus infections (dealing with one now and feel awful). I would like to know how long it took for people to start feeling better. One doc says 5 infusions, and another says much longer. However, I have had more energy in between the infections. Your comments have been helpful."

• Bug...
• October 21, 2015

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I have had 6 treatments. My goal is not to have bronchitis, sinusitis, or pneumonia repeatedly. For 48-72 hours post-rx, my abdomen is hot pink, swollen, and painful. I then feel fantastic for 6 days, and then my malaise gradually kicks back in. I had a 3-month 'virus' at age 11. I was unable to walk for more than a few feet at a time. I have never felt good since. Life was not what it should have been. My 'awesome' days are well worth all the downsides of this rx. The only regret is that I could have had it sooner. I am so thankful for this medication."

• Rjs...
• March 7, 2011

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I started on Hizentra 3 months ago, and I am quite pleased with the difference it has made. I was always feeling run down and so, so tired all the time, and I would have one sinus infection after another. I was so sick of taking antibiotics. They say at about four months I will be close to my plateau, I don't know about that as I was quite run down. Each week has had its ups and downs. You know I step forward and two back. Lately, however, I have been noticing a more level and steady state. I don't care too much for inserting the four needles every week and the injection site pain, but it is only there for a couple of days, then I have five days to enjoy life. Good luck to you! Mike"

• Blb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2016

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "My RA med stripped my immune system. I was getting sick every month. My antibody levels were literally going down in sequence over time (5, 4, 3, 2, 1...). Then after 3 months on Hizentra (20%, 10 mg, 50 cc, once weekly), the jump in all of my numbers was AMAZING! Ex: neg/0 up to 7/8!, etc. I'm NOT getting sick every month! Bonus, they have the BEST patient support programs I've ever seen! From P2P support, monthly copay assistance, even some coverage help if insurance is lost!, etc!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2018

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Plus: It is easy to use, takes less than an hour from start to finish, and I have no infusion reactions. Minus: I have been sick 3 times with upper respiratory infections in the last 6 months. While on Gammagard, I had no infections for 3 years, even after traveling. Unfortunately, the infusion reactions to Gammagard were tough."

• 191...
• October 31, 2013

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "The 20% solution has allowed me to drop 10 grams per week off my infusion. The consistency of my levels for the past 3 years has been normal, and I have not had any infections. Recently, I had to change my insurance, and during that time, I had a lapse in my infusion for 3 weeks. Then, I started back on my infusions, and I did not have any problems at all during the 3 weeks without Hizentra."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2020

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I would not recommend this drug Hizentra for Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome. On the first injection, my stomach swelled up two pant sizes. I have been on it for over a month and have gained over 20 lbs. I’m in constant pain and always tired."

• Clo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2017

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I was on Hizentra and never felt well - ever! During infusion, I would immediately become nauseated. Shortly thereafter, I would experience a horrible headache. My pre-medications were Zofran, Zomig (for my migraine problems), Tylenol, and Benadryl. My trough level was at a decent level, so I was able to have my sinus surgery. I had post-sinus infections of 3 different bacteria. I just kept getting sicker and sicker. Hizentra was the worst drug interactions ever put into my body for 8 months!"

• Chu...
• July 20, 2013

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Three years at home has been a relief for me. Needle area sites take about 2 hours to disappear. Ten grams per week of Hizentra keep my level normal, and I have not had any infections or illness. The cream is applied 15 minutes before the needles and is very smooth going in."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2016

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Switched from nurse-infused IVIG to Hizentra, with zero side effects on the former. Now, 2 months later, sinusitis and nasal misery move in at 5th day, maybe my dose is too low. These old symptoms disappear a day or so after weekly self-infusion. Otherwise, all is well."

• 2ol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 9, 2022

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Daughter now 16 has been having weekly subcutaneous infusions since she was 5 years old. She has 40g a week in her thighs, not able to use stomach as she has a colostomy. This drug has been a life changer, thank you, everyone."

• 998...
• December 27, 2010

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Medicare required patients to switch from Viva to globulin. The switch for me resulted in instant disability, numerous infections. It became evident that the same dosage of Viva was not equivalent to Hizentra. Hizentra had to be increased by a factor of 1.59 of Viva. The weekly grams infused outweigh any advantage of the 20% solution."

• Sof...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2022

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "(I am a 76-year-old female in Australia) 2 years 3 months of great IgG trough levels. Infusions initially weekly, but I shifted to twice weekly as it meant cupboard to cupboard time is just on an hour and much more convenient. Two needles, and I alternate thighs/belly with swelling down in 24 hours. 20 ml in avg 35 mins. No obvious side effects. Don't forget there is a fair area of both locations, so alternate sites and remember where you did it last time and shift a bit. 3 times I struck a nerve and knew it, and once a blood vessel on drawback check. Also possible to use four needles to reduce local volume. Sounds as if I am lucky and yesterday I discovered Hizentra will no longer be imported into Australia. Incidentally, I have had NO at-home clinical support to see I have not built in any bad practices, and my doctors only look to the trough levels. Use a checklist."

• Rum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2020

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I just had my second Hizentra treatment of 6 injections, but this time in my arm. It has been about 8 hours since my treatment ended, and I have been in bed pretty much since then. My arm at the injection sites is hot and swollen, which I can deal with. I did better on gamma globulin despite having lousy veins. My sinus and ear infection symptoms returned mid-treatment. Not sure I will continue since I am feeling ill and vaguely drugged. I just had a kitchen accident and yelled at my hungry cats for jumping around."

• gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I've had Hizentra on and off for 4 months. Every time I start the treatment with only 2 grams, when I got to 4 grams, the symptoms were terrible: nausea, lack of appetite, high blood pressure, debilitating headaches, etc. The worst part was being told by my doctor that these symptoms could not happen with Hizentra and now reading all your reviews! Thank you for sharing!"

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "Horrible drug. Hizentra caused a severe site reaction, ended up in the ER. Severe blood pressure elevation to 180, normal is 120. Still elevated at 140 a week later. May have caused kidney damage. Going back to Gammaguard... way better! No reaction over 3 years."

• Sed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2021

For Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome "I use the subcutaneous, 12 grams, once-a-week dosage at home. It seemed to help the first two weeks, but now I am back to the same round of taking antibiotics and getting the sinus problems back a day after stopping the antibiotic. I would like to know why it didn't work. I am tired of living on antibiotics."