Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
▼ This medicine is new or being used differently. Please report side effects. See the full CMI for further details.
1. Why am I using KamRAB?
KamRAB contains the active ingredient rabies immunoglobulin. KamRAB is used to treat rabies infection.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using KamRAB? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use KamRAB?
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use KamRAB? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with KamRAB and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use KamRAB?
- Your doctor will calculate the dose of KamRAB based on your body weight
- KamRAB should be administered by a healthcare professional
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use KamRAB? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using KamRAB?
Things you should do |
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Driving or using machines |
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Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using KamRAB? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. Most of them are minor and temporary, however some side effects may need medical attention. If you experience sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
▼ This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.
KamRAB®
Active ingredient(s): rabies immunoglobulin
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using KamRAB. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about KamRAB.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using KamRAB?
2. What should I know before I use KamRAB?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use KamRAB?
5. What should I know while using KamRAB?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using KamRAB?
KamRAB contains the active ingredient rabies immunoglobulin. KamRAB contains antibodies that inactivate the rabies virus.
KamRAB is used to treat rabies infection.
KamRAB is given to people who might have been exposed to rabies and have never been vaccinated against rabies. KamRAB is used with a series of rabies vaccinations and provides immediate protection against the rabies virus until the person develops antibodies of their own to the rabies virus.
2. What should I know before I use KamRAB?
Warnings
Do not use KamRAB if:
- you have already received KamRAB and rabies vaccine for treatment of this rabies exposure
Check with your doctor if you:
- have any other medical conditions
- take any medicines for any other condition
- have an inflammatory condition
- are receiving other immunoglobulins
- have previously received vaccinations for rabies
- have previously had allergic reactions after being injected with other immunoglobulins
- have any immune deficiencies which cause you to be deficient in certain antibodies
When medicines are made from human blood or plasma, certain measures are put in place to prevent infections being passed on to patients. These include:
- careful selection of blood and plasma donors to make sure those at risk of carrying infections are excluded,
- the testing of each donation and pools of plasma for signs of virus/infections,
- the inclusion of steps in the processing of the blood or plasma that can inactivate or remove viruses.
Despite these measures, when medicines prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of passing on infection cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to any unknown or emerging viruses or other types of infections.
Measures effective for HAV and parvovirus B19
The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A and parvovirus B19 viruses.
It is strongly recommended that every time you receive a dose of KamRAB the name and batch number of the medicine are recorded in order to maintain a record of the batches used.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with KamRAB and affect how it works.
KamRAB may reduce the effect of other vaccines including:
- Live attenuated virus vaccines such as rubella, mumps and varicella vaccines.
It is important to avoid immunisation with measles vaccines within 4 months after KamRAB administration and avoid immunisation with other live vaccines for 3 months after KamRAB administration.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect KamRAB.
4. How do I use KamRAB?
How much KamRAB is given
- Your doctor will calculate the dose of KamRAB based on your body weight
When KamRAB is given
- KamRAB is given following suspected exposure to a rabid animal, at the time of the first rabies vaccine dose.
- KamRAB is a single dose treatment, used along with a full course of rabies vaccine.
How KamRAB is given
- KamRAB should be administered by a healthcare professional.
- If the bite wound is visible, KamRAB should be injected into and around the bite site, and / or into the muscle of the arm or thigh.
- If the bite wound is not visible, or injection at the bite wound is difficult, KamRAB should be injected into a muscle that is far away from the site of any rabies vaccinations
- KamRAB should not be mixed in the same syringe as the rabies vaccine or administered into the same injection site.
If you are given too much KamRAB
As KamRAB is given by a healthcare professional it is unlikely you will be given too much. However, if you experience any side effects after being given KamRAB, tell your doctor immediately.
5. What should I know while using KamRAB?
Things you should do
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- experience symptoms of rabies (flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, weakness, headache, prickling or itching at the site of the bite, confusion, anxiety or agitation)
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you have been given KamRAB.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how KamRAB affects you.
KamRAB is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Looking after your medicine
- It is unlikely that you will be asked to store KamRAB yourself. It will usually be stored by your doctor or pharmacist.
- Keep KamRAB in the fridge where the temperature is between 2-8°C. Do not freeze.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects | What to do |
General effects:
Skin and injection site-related:
Muscle and connective tissue related:
Nervous system related:
Stomach and mouth related:
Liver and kidney related
Lung related
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
Allergic reaction related:
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What KamRAB contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
Rabies immunoglobulin |
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
Glycine Water for injection Sodium hydroxide |
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
What KamRAB looks like
KamRAB is a clear to slightly opalescent, colourless to pale yellow solution. The carton contains one glass vial with 2mL or 10 mL of solution (AUST R 336970).
Who distributes KamRAB
Link Medical Products
5 Apollo Street
Warriewood NSW 2012
AUSTRALIA
This leaflet was prepared in August 2021.
Published by MIMS July 2022