Rhogam
RhoGAM is an injectable medication used to prevent a condition called Rhesus (Rh) incompatibility. It's commonly given to Rh-negative pregnant mothers who are expecting a Rh-positive baby. RhoGAM contains a type of antibody called an immunoglobulin that stops the mother’s body from making Rh antibodies against the baby’s blood. The shot is typically injected into the muscle by a healthcare professional. Your care team will decide on the correct dose and time for you to receive this medication. Common side effects include injection site reactions, such as swelling and pain.
This medication is also available under other brand names, like HyperRHO.
What is RhoGAM?
What is RhoGAM used for?
To prevent Rh incompatibility in certain Rh-negative mothers with one of the following conditions:
26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy carrying a potential Rh-positive baby
Delivery of a Rh-positive baby
Bleeding during pregnancy with a Rh-positive baby (e.g., amniocentesis, belly injury)
Actual or threatened loss of pregnancy (e.g., miscarriage, abortion)
Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus)
To prevent Rh incompatibility in Rh-negative people receiving Rh-positive blood through blood transfusion
How RhoGAM works
RhoGAM contains a type of antibody called immune globulin. It helps stop the body from making Rh antibodies. These antibodies can attack red blood cells if a person with Rh-negative blood is exposed to Rh-positive blood.
It's not exactly clear how RhoGAM works, but it helps Rh-negative pregnant mothers prevent their Rh-positive babies from severe anemia and other problems during pregnancy and after birth.
Drug Facts
More on RhoGAM essentials
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of RhoGAM?
Common Side Effects
- Injection site reactions (swelling, redness, pain, tenderness, mild pain)
Other Side Effects
- Mild fever
- Skin rash
- Body aches
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reactions: wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, vomiting, itchy rash, hives, tongue or throat swelling
- Breakdown of red blood cells: fever, back pain, nausea, vomiting, shaking, chills, changes in blood pressure, discolored urine, or blood in urine
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•breathing problems
•chest pain or tightness
•yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•pain and tenderness at site where injected
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of RhoGAM
Pros
No significant interactions with most medications or supplements
Safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding
Injects into the muscle instead of the vein, so it's more convenient
Cons
Risk of severe allergic reaction
Must be given by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting
Requires specific timing and monitoring
Pharmacist tips for RhoGAM
If you're receiving RhoGAM during your pregnancy checkup, be sure to plan for extra time after your appointment. Your healthcare team will need to monitor you for signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions for at least 20 minutes after your injection.
Let your healthcare team know right away if you experience wheezing, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, chest pain, rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the tongue or throat after you've received RhoGAM. These are signs and symptoms of allergic reactions.
RhoGAM commonly causes injection site reactions, which include swelling, redness, and mild pain. Some people might also notice a slight fever. Let your healthcare team know if these side effects become bothersome.
Avoid getting live vaccines within 12 weeks of receiving RhoGAM unless your healthcare team tells you it's safe to do so. During this time, live vaccines might not work as well and could raise your risk of infection.
After receiving your first dose of RhoGAM, your care team will give you a completed identification card with information about your injection. Keep the identification card with you and present it to other healthcare professionals when appropriate.
RhoGAM can interfere with blood tests that check for antibodies, such as the Coombs test. This is because it contains antibodies from donor blood. Talk with a healthcare professional or lab technician about your medication history before any blood tests.
Frequently asked questions about RhoGAM
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for RhoGAM?
RhoGAM can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reaction
Risk factors: People with low levels of immune globulin A (IgA)
In rare cases, RhoGAM can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. If you don't have a type of antibody called IgA in your body, you might be at a higher risk when taking this medication. That's because [EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] contains a small amount of IgA. These reactions can happen even if you've received the injection before. Your healthcare team will observe you for at least 20 minutes after your injection to make sure it's safe. Watch out for signs of an allergic reaction, such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, dizziness, vomiting, itchy rash, hives, and tongue or throat swelling. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Possible risk of serious infections
Since RhoGAM is made from human blood products, it can potentially carry a small risk of viruses or harmful proteins, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). But the risk is very low because blood donors are carefully screened, and each sample is tested in the lab to reduce the chance of infections. If you suspect you've developed an infection from this medication, let your healthcare team know right away. Talk with your care team about the benefits and risks of receiving RhoGAM.
Break down of red blood cells
Risk factors: Rh-positive people
People who are Rh-positive are at a higher risk of red blood cells breaking down when receiving RhoGAM. Your healthcare team will monitor you for blood problems after you've received RhoGAM. Tell your care team immediately if you experience fever, back pain, nausea, vomiting, shaking, chills, changes in blood pressure, discolored urine, or blood in urine. Since these signs and symptoms don't always happen right away, make sure to check in with your care team if they occur later.
Interaction with vaccines
Risk factor: Receiving live vaccines
RhoGAM can make live vaccines, like MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and Varivax (varicella vaccine), not work as well. This is because RhoGAM contains antibodies that can weaken your body's response to live vaccines. It can also raise the risk of infection from live vaccines, which are made from weakened viruses. Generally live vaccines aren't recommended within 12 weeks of receiving RhoGAM. But if you recently gave birth and need to receive the MMR vaccine, you'll need a blood test 12 weeks later to confirm that the vaccine is working. Talk to your care team about your vaccination schedule before receiving RhoGAM.
RhoGAM dosage forms
Typical dosing for RhoGAM
RhoGAM is usually given in a hospital setting with a healthcare team who can respond to any life-threatening allergic reactions right away. A healthcare professional will make sure you get this medication at the correct dose and time. The brand name you'll receive will depend on your condition and what's available.
RhoGAM or HyperRHO S/D Full Dose: The typical dose is 300 mcg injected into the muscle (IM), usually within 72 hours of the condition being treated.
MICRhoGAM or HyperRHO S/D Mini Dose (people who're at or less than 12 weeks pregnant or received less than 2.5 mL of Rh-positive red blood cells through transfusion): The typical dose is 50 mcg injected into the muscle (IM), usually within 72 hours of the condition being treated.
How much does RhoGAM cost?
RhoGAM contraindications
Rh-positive blood
History of allergic reaction to human immunoglobulin products
What are alternatives to RhoGAM?
To prevent Rh incompatibility in certain Rh-negative mothers with one of the following conditions:
26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy carrying a potential Rh-positive baby
Delivery of a Rh-positive baby
Bleeding during pregnancy with a Rh-positive baby (e.g., amniocentesis, belly injury)
Actual or threatened loss of pregnancy (e.g., miscarriage, abortion)
Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus)
To prevent Rh incompatibility in Rh-negative people receiving Rh-positive blood through blood transfusion
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Prevention of Rh incompatibility in certain Rh-negative mothers or other pregnancy-related complications
Prevention of Rh incompatibility in Rh-negative people receiving Rh-positive blood through blood transfusion
Get savings updates for RhoGAM
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about RhoGAM and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
References
Best studies we foundAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). The Rh factor: How it can affect your pregnancy.
American Red Cross. (2023). What is the Rh factor? Why is it important?
Arvas, A. (2014). Vaccination in patients with immunosuppression. Turkish Archives of Pediatrics.
Barash, J. H., et al. (2014). Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. American Family Physician.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
Grifols USA, LLC. (2023). Hyperrho S/D full dose (rho(d) imune globulin- human solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Grifols USA, LLC. (2023). Hyperrho S/D mini-dose (rho(d) imune globulin- human solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kedrion Biopharma Inc. (n.d.). Plasma source: Committed to safety.
Kedrion Biopharma Inc. (2024). Rhogam ultra-filtered plus (human rho- d immune globulin injection, solution; Micrhogam ultra-filtered plus (human rho- d immune globulin injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Rh incompatibility.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Hemolysis.
Theis, S. R., et al. (2022). Coombs test. StatPearls.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). CBER-regulated products: Current shortages.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.