Palivizumab

Generic name: palivizumab [ PAL-i-VIZ-oo-mab ]
Brand names: Synagis, Synagis 50 mg/0.5 mL
Dosage form: intramuscular solution (100 mg/mL)
Drug class: Immune globulins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 1, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

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.

Palivizumab side effects

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 of palivizumab may include:

• fever; or

• rash.

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.

Warnings

Palivizumab should not be given to a child who has had a severe allergic reaction to it.

Before taking this medicine

Palivizumab should not be given to a child who has had a severe allergic reaction to it.

Tell your doctor if your 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.

palivizumab can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using palivizumab.

Palivizumab dosing information

Usual Pediatric Dose for Respiratory Syncytial Virus:

Pediatric patients 24 months of age or less:
15 mg/kg IM once a month during RSV season (the first dose should be administered prior to commencement of the RSV season and the remaining doses should be administered monthly throughout the RSV season)

Comments:
-Children who develop an RSV infection should continue to receive monthly doses throughout the RSV season.
-In the northern hemisphere, the RSV season typically commences in November and lasts through April, but it may begin earlier or persist later in certain communities.
-Serum levels of this drug are decreased after cardiopulmonary bypass. Children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass should receive an additional dose as soon as possible after the cardiopulmonary bypass procedure (even if sooner than a month from the previous dose). Thereafter, doses should be administered monthly as scheduled.

Use: For the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children at high risk of RSV disease. The following points should be considered when prescribing this drug:
-Safety and efficacy were established in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), infants with a history of premature birth (less than or equal to 35 weeks gestational age), and children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD).
-Safety and efficacy have not been established for treatment of RSV disease.

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 other drugs will affect palivizumab?

Other drugs may affect 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.

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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