Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Human hepatitis b immunoglobulin may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
What Zutectra is Zutectra contains antibodies against the hepatitis B virus which are the body's own defensive substances to protect you from hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. What Zutectra is used for Zutectra is used to prevent re-infection of hepatitis B in adults who have had a liver transplant at least 1 week ago because they had liver failure caused by hepatitis B. 2.
e Zutectra
Do not use Zutectra if you are allergic to human immunoglobulin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). In particular, in very rare cases of insufficient amount of immunoglobulin A (IgA), when you have antibodies against IgA in your blood. This might lead to severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). An allergic reaction may include sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, fast pulse, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, throat or tongue, rash or itching. Zutectra is for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection only. Injection into a vein or a blood vessel may result in allergic shock. Warnings and precautions Please tell your doctor or healthcare professional prior to treatment 1
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if you have been told that you have antibodies against immunoglobulins of the type IgA in your blood. This is very rare and may result in allergic reactions.
You may be allergic to immunoglobulins (antibodies) without knowing it, even if you have tolerated previous treatments with human immunoglobulins. Particularly if you do not have enough immunoglobulins of the type IgA in your blood, allergic reactions such as a sudden fall in blood pressure or shock may occur. You will be carefully observed during and shortly after the 1st injection with Zutectra to make sure that you do not suffer from a reaction. If you have an allergic reaction to Zutectra, the injection will be stopped immediately. Please tell your doctor or healthcare professional immediately if you notice any reactions during your injection with Zutectra. If you are HBs antigen positive you will not receive Zutectra since there is no benefit in administering this medicine to you. Your doctor will be able to explain this to you. For your own safety you will be monitored for antibody levels regularly. Possible interference with blood tests Zutectra might affect the results of certain blood tests (serological tests). Please tell your doctor about your treatment with Zutectra prior to any blood test. Information on the starting material of Zutectra and the possibility of transmission of infectious agents: The starting material or what Zutectra is made from is human blood plasma (this is the liquid part of the blood). 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, and the testing of each donation and pools of plasma for signs of virus/infections. Manufacturers of these medicines also include 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. 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 virus. The measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19 virus (causative agent of Ringel rubella). Immunoglobulins like Zutectra have not been associated with hepatitis A or parvovirus B19 infections possibly because the antibodies against these infections, which are contained in the product, are protective. It is important to keep a record of the batch number of your Zutectra. So, every time you get a new package of Zutectra, note down the date and the batch number (which is on the packaging after "Lot") and keep this information in a safe place, for example your treatment diary (see section 3). Other medicines and Zutectra Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Vaccinations 2
Zutectra can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines (measles, rubella, mumps, chicken pox) for a period of up to 3 months. You may have to wait at least 3 months after the last injection of Zutectra before you can have live attenuated vaccines. Please tell your doctor about your treatment with Zutectra prior to any vaccination. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or healthcare professional for advice before taking this medicine. Driving and using machines Zutectra has no or negligible effects on your ability to drive or use machines. 3.
Zutectra
Zutectra is intended for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The content of one pre-filled syringe is intended for use once only. Do not inject into a blood vessel. In most cases you will be given the injection by your doctor or nurse. However, if your antibody levels are sufficient and you have a fixed dose regimen, you or your caregiver may be trained to carry out the injection at home (see below). For the documentation of your injections of Zutectra it is strongly recommended to use the treatment diary. Your doctor will explain you how to use it. The dose can be individually established and adapted from 500 IU up to 1,000 IU (in exceptional cases up to 1,500 IU) weekly or fortnightly. The dose will depend on your condition. Your doctor will regularly check your condition and tell you how much and how often you need to use Zutectra. Injecting by yourself or by caregiver You can inject Zutectra yourself without the help of your doctor, if they have trained you to do this. If you are administering Zutectra yourself, please read instructions in the section "How to inject Zutectra by yourself or by caregiver" carefully. Zutectra must be brought to room temperature (approx. 23 °C-27 °C) before use. If you use more Zutectra than you should Consequences of an overdose are not known. However, if you have used more than the prescribed dose of Zutectra, contact your doctor, healthcare professional or pharmacist straight away for advice. If you forget to use Zutectra Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten injection. Talk to your doctor about managing the dose. Your doctor will tell you how much and how often you need to use Zutectra. Make sure you use Zutectra as prescribed and as instructed by your doctor to avoid the risk of a hepatitis B re-infection. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. 3
Most side effects observed with Zutectra were mild to moderate in nature. In very rare cases human normal immunoglobulins may cause a serious allergic reaction. If you notice any of the following effects stop the injection and tell your doctor immediately: rash, itching, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, throat or tongue, low blood pressure, fast pulse –
This can be an allergic reaction or a serious allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock). In case of any adverse event after the injection speak to your doctor immediately. The following side effects have been reported with Zutectra: Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): injection site reactions: pain, hives (urticaria) at injection site, haematoma (a collection of blood in tissue under the skin), reddening of the skin (erythema). Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
With other human immunoglobulin preparations, the following additional symptoms have been reported: chills headache dizziness fever vomiting mild allergic reactions nausea (urge to vomit) joint pain low blood pressure moderate low back pain injection site reactions: swelling, soreness, redness, hardening of the skin, local heat, itching, bruising and rash. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, healthcare professional or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme
4
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Zutectra
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outer carton, the blister and the pre-filled syringe label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store and transport refrigerated (2 °C-8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep the pre-filled syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Once the protective cap has been removed from the pre-filled syringe, the solution should be administered immediately. Do not use Zutectra if you notice that the solution is cloudy or contains particles. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. Once the injection has been completed, dispose of all needles, syringes and empty glass containers without delay in a container intended for sharp objects you were provided with. 6.
What Zutectra contains –
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The active substance is human hepatitis B immunoglobulin of at least 500 IU/mL. Zutectra contains 150 mg/mL of human plasma protein of which at least 96 % is immunoglobulin G (IgG). The maximum immunoglobulin A (IgA) content is 6,000 micrograms/mL. The other ingredients are glycine and water for injections.
What Zutectra looks like and the contents of the pack Zutectra is presented as a 1 mL solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe. The colour of the solution can vary from clear to opalescent and colourless to pale yellow. Pack size of 5 pre-filled syringes in a blistered pack. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Biotest Pharma GmbH Landsteinerstrasse 5 D-63303 Dreieich Germany Tel.: + 49 6103 801-0 Fax: + 49 6103 801-150 Email: [email protected] PLGB 04500/0014
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This leaflet was last revised in 11/2025. 7.
How to inject Zutectra by yourself or by caregiver
The following instructions are intended to explain how to inject Zutectra. Please read the instructions carefully and follow them step by step. The doctor or his/her assistant will teach you the process of administration. Do not attempt to inject Zutectra until you are sure that you understand how to prepare the injection solution and give the injection. General information: Keep the syringes and syringe disposal unit out of the reach of children; lock the supplies if possible. Try to take the injection at the same time of day. This makes it easier to remember it. Always double-check the dose. The solution must be brought to room temperature (approx. 23 °C-27 °C) before use. Take each pre-filled syringe only out of the pack when you are ready for an injection. Once the protective cap has been removed from the pre-filled syringe, you should administer the injection immediately. The colour of the solution can vary from clear to opalescent and colourless to pale yellow. Do not use solutions that are cloudy or have particles. This medicine must not be mixed with other medicines. Before the injection: 1. Wash your hands. It is important to have your hands and the items you use as clean as possible. 2. Lay out everything you need in advance. Find a clean place where you can spread out all the items you are going to use: –
two alcohol swabs, one pre-filled syringe of Zutectra, one needle suitable for subcutaneous injection.
Please note that alcohol swabs and needles are not contained in the pack and you need to supply them yourself. Make sure to have your treatment diary and a container intended for sharp objects for waste disposal available. 3. Before preparing the injection, decide where you are going to inject. You should inject Zutectra into the fatty layer between the skin and muscle (about 8 to 12 mm under the skin). The best places for injections are where the skin is loose and soft for example in the abdomen, arm, thigh or buttocks, and away from joints, nerves, bones. Important: Do not use on any area where you can feel lumps, bumps, firm knots, pain or on an area that is discoloured, indented, scabbed, or where the skin is broken. Talk to the doctor or healthcare professional about these or any other unusual conditions you may find. You should rotate the injection site at every injection. If some areas are too difficult for you to reach, you may need a caregiver to help you with these injections. 4. Prepare the Zutectra pre-filled syringe: –
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Take the pre-filled syringe out of the pack.
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Examine the solution carefully. It should be clear and contain no particles. If the solution is discoloured, cloudy or contains particles, discard it and start again with a new pre-filled syringe. Remove the protective cap from the syringe.
Take the needle out of its sterile pack and fit the needle onto the syringe.
5. Get rid of any air bubbles that may be in the pre-filled syringe. –
Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upwards, and tap the syringe gently with your fingers until the air has collected at the tip. Carefully push the plunger in until the air bubbles have disappeared.
Injection 1. Choose the area where you will make the injection and make a note of it in the diary. Further note down the date and the batch number (see "Information on the starting material of Zutectra and the possibility of transmission of infectious agents" in section 2 of this package leaflet). Abdomen (stomach): Do not use the area within one inch around the navel. Avoid using the belt line area, as rubbing may irritate the injection site. Avoid surgical scars. This is likely to be the easiest place to inject if you are doing it yourself. Thighs: Use middle and outer areas where you can pinch up tissue. You are likely to have more fatty tissue the closer you are to the hip and the further you are from the knee. Arms: The back of the upper arm should be used. It is hard to pinch up the tissue and inject Zutectra yourself using this site. If you do choose to inject your arm yourself, try to pinch up the tissue by placing your upper arm over the back of a chair or brace it against a wall. It is much easier for someone else to use this site if you do need help. Buttocks: Use any area where you can pinch up tissue. It's harder to give yourself an injection here. Try standing in front of a mirror to locate the site or you may want to ask your caregiver to give you the injection. It's important to change (rotate) the injection sites. This will help the skin stay supple and help the medicine be absorbed evenly. Rotating sites means starting at one site and using all other sites before 7
going back to the first site you used. Then start the rotation again. It may be helpful to keep a record of where you had the last injection to avoid problems. The administration in thighs is shown as an example in the following pictures:
2. Wipe the intended area with an alcohol swab. Let the skin air-dry. 3. Gently pinch the skin together around the disinfected injection site (to raise it up a little) and push the needle into the skin with a rapid, confident movement at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees. Inject beneath the skin as you have been shown by the doctor or nurse. 4. Inject the liquid by pressing gently on the plunger. Allow yourself enough time to inject the whole of the solution until the syringe is empty.
5. Then pull the needle out immediately and let go of the pinched skin.
6. Clean the injection site by wiping it in a circular motion with the alcohol swab.
Dispose of all used items Once the injection has been completed, dispose of all needles and empty glass containers without delay in a container intended for sharp objects.
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Zutectra 500 IU solution for injection in pre-filled syringe comes as injection containing 500iu. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Zutectra 500 IU solution for injection in pre-filled syringe is human hepatitis b immunoglobulin.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Zutectra 500 IU solution for injection in pre-filled syringe, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) re-infection in HBsAg and HBV-DNA negative adult patients at least one week after liver transplantation for hepatitis B induced liver failure. HBV-DNA negative status should be confirmed within the last 3 months prior to OLT. Patients should be HBsAg negative before treatment start.
The concomitant use of adequate virostatic agents should be considered as standard of hepatitis B re-infection prophylaxis.
Posology
In HBV-DNA negative adults at least one week after liver transplantation subcutaneous injections of Zutectra per week or fortnightly according to serum anti-HBs trough levels.
Prior to the initiation of subcutaneous treatment with Zutectra adequate anti-HBs serum levels should be stabilised with an intravenous hepatitis B immunoglobulin to levels at or above 300-500 IU/L in order to ensure adequate anti-HBs coverage during the transition from intravenous to subcutaneous dosing. Antibody levels > 100 IU/L should be maintained in HBsAg and HBV-DNA negative patients.
The dose can be individually established and adapted from 500 IU up to 1,000 IU (in exceptional cases up to 1,500 IU) subcutaneous injections on a weekly or fortnightly basis, according to the serum anti-HBs concentrations and at the discretion of the physician in charge. Antibody levels > 100 IU/L should be maintained.
Patients must be monitored for serum anti-HBs antibody levels regularly. Serum anti-HBs antibody levels should be measured at least every 2-4 weeks and at the discretion of the physician in charge for at least half a year.
Paediatric population
There is no relevant indication for use of Zutectra in children under the age of 18.
Method of administration
For subcutaneous use only.
Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product
Injection of the medicinal product by the patient or by caregiver in a home treatment requires training by a physician experienced in the guidance of patients for home treatment. The patient or caregiver will be instructed in injection techniques, the keeping of a treatment diary and measures to be taken in case of severe adverse events. A sufficient surveillance period with stable anti-HBs trough serum levels of > 100 IU/L as well as a fixed dosage regimen is required: the monitoring schedule of patients anti-HBs antibody levels (see above) needs to be closely followed. In addition, patient or caregiver must comply with the injection technique as well as with the dosing regimen to ensure anti-HBs trough serum levels > 100 IU/L after extended periods between level controls.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or to human immunoglobulins. In particular, in very rare cases of IgA deficiency when the patient to be treated has antibodies against IgA.
Zutectra must not be administered intravascularly.
Traceability
In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded. This recommendation applies also for documentation in the treatment diary during self-administration of the medicinal product in a home treatment.
Ensure that Zutectra is not administered into a blood vessel, because of the risk of shock.
If the recipient is a carrier of HBsAg, there is no benefit in administering this medicinal product.
There is no data about efficacy in post-exposure prophylaxis.
Hypersensitivity
True hypersensitivity reactions are rare.
Zutectra contains a small quantity of IgA (see section 2). Individuals who are deficient in IgA have the potential for developing IgA antibodies and may have anaphylactic reactions after administration of blood components containing IgA. The physician must therefore weigh the benefit of treatment with Zutectra against the potential risk of hypersensitivity reactions.
Rarely, human hepatitis B immunoglobulin can induce a fall in blood pressure with anaphylactic reaction, even in patients who have tolerated previous treatment with human immunoglobulin.
Potential complications can often be avoided by ensuring that patients:
- are not sensitive to human normal immunoglobulin, by initially injecting the product slowly;
- are carefully monitored for any symptoms throughout the injection. In particular, patients naive to human normal immunoglobulin, patients switched from an alternative product or when there has been a long interval since the previous injection should be monitored during the first injection and for the first hour after the first injection, in order to detect potential adverse signs. All other patients should be observed for at least 20 minutes after administration.
Suspicion of allergic or anaphylactic type reactions requires immediate discontinuation of the injection. In case of shock, standard medical treatment for shock should be implemented.
Interference with serological testing
After injection of immunoglobulin the transitory rise of the various passively transferred antibodies in the patient's blood may result in misleading positive results in serological testing.
Passive transmission of antibodies to erythrocyte antigens, e.g. A, B, D may interfere with some serological tests for red cell antibodies, for example the direct antiglobulin test (DAT, direct Coombs' test).
Transmissible agents
Standard measures to prevent infections resulting from the use of medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma include selection of donors, screening of individual donations and plasma pools for specific markers of infection and the inclusion of effective manufacturing steps for the inactivation/removal of viruses. Despite this, when medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of transmitting infective agents cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to unknown or emerging viruses and other pathogens.
The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A virus (HAV). The measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19.
There is reassuring clinical experience regarding the lack of hepatitis A or parvovirus B19 transmission with immunoglobulins and it is also assumed that the antibody content makes an important contribution to the viral safety.
Live attenuated virus vaccines
Immunoglobulin administration may interfere with the development of an immune response to live attenuated virus vaccines such as rubella, mumps, measles and varicella for a period of 3 months. After administration of this medicinal product, an interval of at least 3 months should elapse before vaccination with live attenuated virus vaccines.
Human hepatitis B immunoglobulin should be administrated three to four weeks after vaccination with such a live attenuated vaccine; in case administration of human hepatitis B immunoglobulin is essential within three to four weeks after vaccination, then revaccination should be performed three months after the administration of human hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
Pregnancy
The safety of this medicinal product for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore should only be given with caution to pregnant women. Clinical experience with immunoglobulins suggests that no harmful effects on the course of pregnancy, or on the foetus and the neonate are to be expected.
Breast-feeding
The safety of this medicinal product for use in breast-feeding has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore should only be given with caution to breast-feeding mothers.
Fertility
No fertility studies have been performed (see section 5.3).
Hepatitis B immunoglobulin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
Most adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were mild to moderate in nature. In isolated cases human normal immunoglobulins may cause an anaphylactic shock.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The following adverse reactions have been reported in the context of 4,810 subcutaneous applications of Zutectra during four completed clinical trials and 1,006 applications during a non-interventional post marketing safety study (PASS).
The ADRs reported in four trials are summarised and categorised according to the MedDRA system organ class and frequency below. Frequency per injection has been evaluated using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping the adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
MedDRA System
Organ Class
Adverse reactions
Frequency
Infections and infestations
Nasopharyngitis
Rare*
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Rare*
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Uncommon
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations, cardiac discomfort
Rare*
Vascular disorders
Hypertension
Rare*
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Oropharyngeal pain
Rare*
Gastrointestinal disorders
Upper abdominal pain
Uncommon
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus, rash
Rare*
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle spams
Rare*
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site pain, injection site urticaria, injection site haematoma, injection site erythema
Common
Fatigue, tiredness
Rare*
* single case reports
Adverse reactions observed with other human immunoglobulin preparations
With normal immunoglobulins adverse reactions such as chills, headache, dizziness, fever, vomiting, allergic reactions, nausea, arthralgia, low blood pressure and moderate low back pain may occur occasionally.
Rarely human normal immunoglobulins may cause a sudden fall in blood pressure and, in isolated cases, anaphylactic shock, even when the patient has shown no hypersensitivity to previous administration.
Injection site reactions
Swelling, soreness, redness, induration, local heat, itching, bruising and rash.
For safety information with respect to transmissible agents, see section 4.4.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
Consequences of an overdose are not known.
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Human hepatitis b immunoglobulin. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Zutectra 500 IU solution for injection in pre-filled syringe. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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