Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Overview

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-related disorder in which the body attacks myelin, the coating that protects peripheral nerves. Unlike Guillain-Barré syndrome, CIDP develops over at least two months, and it may slowly worsen or come back after improving.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Weakness in both arms and legs
• Numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
• Reduced or absent reflexes
• Trouble walking, keeping balance or climbing stairs
• Fatigue

When to Contact a Provider

See a neurologist about weakness or numbness that has been getting worse over weeks or months. Rapid worsening, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, needs urgent care.

How Treatment May Help

Common first treatments include corticosteroids, immune globulin and plasma exchange. Immune globulin given by IV infusion (IVIG) may help improve strength and function, and for some people it may help prevent relapse when continued as maintenance. For adults, Vyvgart Hytrulo is another option: it lowers the level of the antibodies thought to drive CIDP and may help reduce the risk of relapse. Your neurologist will review your response over time, because not everyone needs ongoing treatment.

Therapies That May Be Available at Infuse Care

• Immune globulin (IVIG) products approved for CIDP, such as Gamunex-C, Gammaked and Gammagard Liquid: IV infusion; usually a starting dose given over several days, then maintenance infusions every few weeks if prescribed
• Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase): injection under the skin once a week, for adults with CIDP. This is the under-the-skin form of efgartigimod; the IV form, Vyvgart, is approved for myasthenia gravis, not CIDP

Safety and Monitoring

With IVIG, headache, chills, tiredness and flushing can occur during or after an infusion. Rare but serious risks include blood clots and kidney problems, so your provider reviews your health history and our nurses adjust the infusion rate and encourage hydration. Vyvgart Hytrulo may raise the risk of infections and can cause injection-site reactions or allergic reactions, so we monitor you after each dose.

Your prescribing provider decides which treatment is right for you. Infuse Care administers prescribed therapies after a referral, a clinical review and any required insurance authorization, and we keep your provider's office updated on your care.