Click on the first letter in the Drug name:

palivizumab

Generic Name: palivizumab (injectable) (pah lih VIH zyou mab)
Brand Names: Synagis

What is palivizumab?

Palivizumab is a man-made antibody to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can cause serious illness in children. Palivizumab inhibits the actions of RSV and helps to prevent the disease.

Palivizumab is used to prevent serious lower respiratory tract (lung) disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children at high risk of RSV disease.

Palivizumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about palivizumab?

Palivizumab is usually administered once a month during the RSV season. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on when the shot will be administered.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking palivizumab?

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or

• a low level of platelets in the blood.

You may not be able to use palivizumab, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

How should I take palivizumab?

Palivizumab will be administered by intramuscular (into the muscle) injection by a healthcare provider. If palivizumab is being administered at home, your healthcare provider will give you instructions for administration.

Palivizumab is usually administered once a month during the RSV season. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on when the shot will be administered.

Your healthcare provider will store palivizumab as directed by the manufacturer. If palivizumab is being stored at home, your healthcare provider will give you storage instructions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your healthcare provider if a dose of palivizumab is missed.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking palivizumab?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with palivizumab.

Palivizumab side effects

Other less serious side effects may also occur. Talk to your doctor if any of the following occur:

• rash;

• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site;

• fever; or

• vomiting or diarrhea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect palivizumab?

It is not known whether other medications will interact with palivizumab. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during treatment with palivizumab.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about palivizumab written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Palivizumab is available with a prescription under the brand name Synagis as an injectable formulation. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• 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.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.