What is the most important information I should know about palivizumab?
Palivizumab should not be given to a child who has had a severe allergic reaction to it.
What is palivizumab?
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 works best in children who are 24 months old or younger at the beginning of RSV season (6 months or younger for premature infants).
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving palivizumab?
Palivizumab should not be given to a child who has had a severe allergic reaction to it.
To make sure palivizumab is safe for your child, tell your doctor if the child has ever had:
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
- low levels of platelets in the blood.
How is palivizumab given?
Palivizumab is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give your child this injection.
Palivizumab is given once a month during the RSV season, which is usually November through April but may be different where you live.
To best help prevent RSV infection, your child's first palivizumab injection should be given before RSV season begins.
During RSV season, your child should receive a palivizumab injection once every 28 to 30 days. Each injection can help protect your child from RSV for about 1 month.
Be sure to keep all appointments for your child's injections. Even if your child gets sick with RSV disease, the child should continue to receive all scheduled palivizumab injections.
This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using palivizumab.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your child's palivizumab injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid while receiving palivizumab?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of palivizumab?
Get emergency medical help if your child has signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe rash, itching; rapid or difficult breathing; blue-colored lips, skin, or fingernails; muscle weakness, being hard to wake up; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common side effects may include:
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.
What other drugs will affect palivizumab?
Other drugs may interact with palivizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about palivizumab.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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