About your treatment    

Your child's doctor has ordered palivizumab to help prevent a serious lower respiratory tract disease called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The drug will be injected into a large muscle (such as the thigh) once a month for several months.

It is important that your child receive this medicine each month during RSV season. Your health care provider will let you know when the monthly injections are no longer needed.

Your child's health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of this treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your child's doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment will be determined by your child's health care provider.

Storing your medication    

• Your child's health care provider will probably give you a 1-month supply of palivizumab at a time. You will need to store it in the refrigerator.
• Do not allow palivizumab to freeze.
• Palivizumab must be used within 6 hours once you mix it. Your health care provider will give you directions on how to prepare each dose.

Store this medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store this medication properly.Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of the reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose    

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Signs of infection    

If you are receiving palivizumab under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your skin). If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

• fever
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• chills
• shaking
• loss of appetite
• redness around the injection site

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