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Couple shopping with man trying on hat

Commonly used CIDP terms and definitions

Discussing CIDP using these terms may help family, friends, and your doctor understand your experience.

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  • Antibody fragment
    An antibody fragment is only part of a whole antibody. For example, the bottom section of the Y-shaped antibody is a fragment.
  • Autoimmune
    Autoimmune means that the immune system, which normally protects you, is mistakenly attacking healthy cells.
  • Biologics
    Biologics treat disease by using substances made from living organisms. These substances may naturally occur in the body or may be artificially created. A biologic must be approved by the FDA to be used as a treatment in the United States.
  • CIDP
    Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a rare autoimmune condition that affects the peripheral nervous system. The condition affects how nerve signals travel between the brain and the body and can lead to symptoms like weakness in upper and/or lower limbs, heaviness in legs, loss of balance and/or coordination, tingling and/or numbness, fatigue, and pain.
  • FcRn receptor
    A neonatal Fc receptor attaches to IgG antibodies and helps them stay in the body longer.
  • Harmful IgG antibody
    Harmful IgG antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that are mistakenly made by the immune system. Although the complete cause of CIDP is not fully understood, recent studies suggest that, in some people, harmful IgG antibodies may be involved in damaging myelin. Damage to myelin is why some people experience CIDP symptoms.
  • IgG antibody
    Immunoglobulin G antibodies are Y-shaped proteins made by the immune system. Antibodies attach to different things to let the immune system know that there is a potential threat that it will need to destroy or neutralize.
  • INCAT
    The Inflammatory Neuropathy Causes and Treatment is an assessment tool that healthcare professionals use to measure the impact of CIDP on daily arm and leg function. There is also an “adjusted” INCAT tool, which is identical to the INCAT, but smaller changes in upper limb function are excluded.
  • IV infusion
    An intravenous infusion is when a medical treatment is delivered through your vein, using a needle to help insert a small tube.
  • I-RODS
    The Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale is an assessment tool used to measure limitations to your daily abilities and social participation.
  • IVIg
    Intravenous immunoglobulin contains naturally occurring antibodies obtained from healthy volunteers. IVIg is given through a vein.
  • Myelin
    A protective coating around nerves that helps electrical signals between the brain and body travel efficiently.
  • Placebo
    An inactive substance used in a study that looks like the medicine being tested.
  • Plasma
    Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. This substance carries platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells around the body. It contains antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, which fight infection.
  • PLEX
    Plasma exchange is a process by which some of the patient’s blood is removed and filtered, and then the blood cells are returned without the liquid plasma portion of the patient’s blood. It may work by removing harmful antibodies contained in the plasma.
  • Prefilled syringe
    A prefilled syringe is a syringe that has a specific amount of medicine inside it, meaning you don’t have to measure the medicine or fill the syringe yourself.
  • SCIg
    Subcutaneous immunoglobulin contains naturally occurring antibodies obtained from healthy volunteers. SCIg is given as an infusion, slowly injecting purified immunoglobulin into the fatty tissue beneath the skin to boost the immune system.
  • Self-injection
    A self-injection is when you give yourself a dose of medicine with a needle and syringe. It can be done at home, without needing to visit a healthcare provider.
  • Specialty pharmacy
    A specialty pharmacy is a type of pharmacy that provides medications that may not be available at standard pharmacies. These medications often require special handling, storage, or administration. Specialty pharmacies may also provide trainings on how to take medications and may provide help with navigating insurance or financial needs.
  • Study
    A study, also known as a clinical trial, is a type of research that tests the safety and effectiveness of a treatment in people. The FDA reviews the results of studies to determine if a treatment is safe and effective for use in a specific condition.
  • Subcutaneous injection
    Given by delivering medicine into the layer beneath the skin.

Have questions? Call 1-833-VYV-CIDP (1-833-898-2437) to speak with an educator about CIDP, how VYVGART Hytrulo works, study results, cost and coverage, and more.

Do not take VYVGART HYTRULO if you are allergic to efgartigimod alfa, hyaluronidase, or any of the ingredients in VYVGART HYTRULO. VYVGART HYTRULO can cause serious allergic reactions and a decrease in blood pressure leading to fainting.

Before taking VYVGART HYTRULO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have an infection or fever.
  • have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations.
  • have any history of allergic reactions.
  • have kidney (renal) problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether VYVGART HYTRULO will harm your unborn baby.
    • Pregnancy Exposure Registry. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who use VYVGART HYTRULO during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby. Your healthcare provider can enroll you in this registry. You may also enroll yourself or get more information about the registry by calling 1-855-272-6524 or going to VYVGARTPregnancy.com
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VYVGART HYTRULO passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

VYVGART HYTRULO can cause side effects which can be serious, including:

  • Infection. VYVGART HYTRULO may increase the risk of infection. If you have an active infection, your healthcare provider should delay your treatment with VYVGART HYTRULO until your infection is gone. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of an infection:
    • fever
    • chills
    • frequent and painful urination
    • cough
    • pain and blockage of nasal passages
    • wheezing
    • shortness of breath
    • sore throat
    • excess phlegm
    • nasal discharge
  • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions). VYVGART HYTRULO can cause allergic reactions that can be severe. These reactions can happen during, shortly after, or weeks after your VYVGART HYTRULO injection. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
    • rash
    • swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue
    • shortness of breath
    • hives
    • trouble breathing
    • low blood pressure
    • fainting
  • Infusion or injection-related reactions. VYVGART HYTRULO can cause infusion or injection-related reactions. These reactions can happen during or shortly after your VYVGART HYTRULO injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of an infusion or injection-related reaction:
    • high blood pressure
    • chills
    • shivering
    • chest, stomach, or back pain

The most common side effects of VYVGART HYTRULO include respiratory tract infection, headache, urinary tract infection, and injection site reactions.

These are not all the possible side effects of VYVGART HYTRULO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is VYVGART HYTRULO® (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc)?

VYVGART HYTRULO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

It is not known if VYVGART HYTRULO is safe and effective in children.

Please see full Prescribing and Patient Information for VYVGART HYTRULO.

Dosage forms and strengths:

VYVGART Hytrulo is available as a single-dose subcutaneous injection containing: 200 mg/mL of efgartigimod alfa and 2,000 U/mL of hyaluronidase per prefilled syringe, or 180 mg/mL of efgartigimod alfa and 2,000 U/mL of hyaluronidase per vial.

Do not take VYVGART HYTRULO if you are allergic to efgartigimod alfa, hyaluronidase, or any of the ingredients in VYVGART HYTRULO. VYVGART HYTRULO can cause serious allergic reactions and a decrease in blood pressure leading to fainting.

Before taking VYVGART HYTRULO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have an infection or fever.
  • have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations.
  • have any history of allergic reactions.
  • have kidney (renal) problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether VYVGART HYTRULO will harm your unborn baby.
    • Pregnancy Exposure Registry. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who use VYVGART HYTRULO during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby. Your healthcare provider can enroll you in this registry. You may also enroll yourself or get more information about the registry by calling 1-855-272-6524 or going to VYVGARTPregnancy.com
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VYVGART HYTRULO passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

VYVGART HYTRULO can cause side effects which can be serious, including:

  • Infection. VYVGART HYTRULO may increase the risk of infection. If you have an active infection, your healthcare provider should delay your treatment with VYVGART HYTRULO until your infection is gone. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of an infection:
    • fever
    • chills
    • frequent and painful urination
    • cough
    • pain and blockage of nasal passages
    • wheezing
    • shortness of breath
    • sore throat
    • excess phlegm
    • nasal discharge
  • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions). VYVGART HYTRULO can cause allergic reactions that can be severe. These reactions can happen during, shortly after, or weeks after your VYVGART HYTRULO injection. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
    • rash
    • swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue
    • shortness of breath
    • hives
    • trouble breathing
    • low blood pressure
    • fainting
  • Infusion or injection-related reactions. VYVGART HYTRULO can cause infusion or injection-related reactions. These reactions can happen during or shortly after your VYVGART HYTRULO injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of an infusion or injection-related reaction:
    • high blood pressure
    • chills
    • shivering
    • chest, stomach, or back pain

The most common side effects of VYVGART HYTRULO include respiratory tract infection, headache, urinary tract infection, and injection site reactions.

These are not all the possible side effects of VYVGART HYTRULO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is VYVGART HYTRULO® (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc)?

VYVGART HYTRULO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

It is not known if VYVGART HYTRULO is safe and effective in children.

Please see full Prescribing and Patient Information for VYVGART HYTRULO.

Dosage forms and strengths:

VYVGART Hytrulo is available as a single-dose subcutaneous injection containing: 200 mg/mL of efgartigimod alfa and 2,000 U/mL of hyaluronidase per prefilled syringe, or 180 mg/mL of efgartigimod alfa and 2,000 U/mL of hyaluronidase per vial.