Generic Name: palivizumab (PAL i VIZ oo mab)Brand Names: Synagis
Palivizumab is a man-made antibody to respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus (RSV). RSV can cause serious illness in children. Palivizumab helps keep RSV cells from multiplying in the body.
Palivizumab is used to prevent serious lung disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus in premature infants, and infants born with certain lung disorders or heart disease.
Palivizumab will not treat a child who is already sick with RSV disease.
Palivizumab may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before your child receives a palivizumab injection, tell your doctor if the child has a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or a low level of platelets in the blood.
Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Call your doctor at once if your child has a serious side effect such as high fever, ear pain or drainage, warmth or swelling of the ear; crying or fussiness, change in appetite or sleeping patterns, easy bruising or bleeding, or trouble breathing.Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your child's palivizumab injection.
If your child has any of these other conditions, he or she may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
a low level of platelets in the blood.
Palivizumab is given once a month during the RSV season, which is usually November through April but may be different where you live. Your child's doctor will tell you when the medication should be given.
Palivizumab is given as an injection into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give this injection. You may be shown how to use the medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Each single-use vial (bottle) of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away the vial after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not shake the medication vial (bottle). Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not draw the palivizumab dose into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. If you keep this medication at home, store it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not use the medication if the expiration date on the label has passed.Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your child's palivizumab injection.
Symptoms of a palivizumab overdose are not known.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
high fever, ear pain or drainage, tugging at the ear;
warmth or swelling of the ear;
crying or fussiness, especially while lying down;
change in sleeping patterns;
poor feeding or loss of appetite;
easy bruising or bleeding; or
trouble breathing.
Less serious side effects may include:
low fever;
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough;
vomiting, diarrhea; or
pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose for Respiratory Syncytial Virus:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient: 15 mg/kg one time, infused intravenously over 30 minutes.The use of palivizumab in adults is not approved by the FDA. This dosage is based on 2 small clinical trials which included 6 patients without active RSV infection, 3 patients with RSV upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and 12 patients with RSV interstitial pneumonia (IP). The 15 patients with active RSV infection also received aerosolized ribavirin. The 3 patients with URTI recovered, 10 of the patients with IP survived for the 28-day study period, and 2 of the IP patients died. The virologic outcome of the 6 patients without active RSV was not stated.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Respiratory Syncytial Virus:
15 mg/kg IM once monthly during RSV season.
There may be other drugs that can interact with palivizumab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications your child has received. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your child's doctor.