Palivizumab (Synagis®)
Palivizumab (Synagis®) is a prescription medication that can be given to your baby to help prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. RSV can cause a serious lung disease. Palivizumab (Synagis®) is given as a shot into the baby’s thigh muscle. Each shot will help the baby’s immune system to fight infections like RSV for about one month. A shot is given each month throughout the RSV season, up to 5 total doses.
Palivizumab (Synagis®) is not a vaccine. It is a medicine that can help your baby’s immune system.
Who should receive palivizumab (Synagis®)?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2014) recommends the following babies receive palivizumab (Synagis®):
- Infants born at less than 29 weeks of gestational age and who are less than 1 year old at the beginning of RSV season
- Infants less than 1 year old who have a significant congenital heart disease (CHD)
- Infants less than 1 year old who have a chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity, including babies who have cystic fibrosis and CLD
- Children less than 2 years old who have CLD and require oxygen, a diuretic, or steroid therapy within 6 months before the RSV season
- Children less than 2 years old who have cystic fibrosis with severe lung disease or weight less than the 10th percentile for their length
- Infants less than 1 year with neuromuscular disease or congenital anomaly that impairs the ability to clear secretions
- Children less than 2 years old who are extremely immunocompromised during the RSV season
- Children less than 2 years old who have a heart transplant during the RSV season
Infants and children should not receive palivizumab (Synagis®) if they have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose.
How is palivizumab (Synagis®) given?
Palivizumab (Synagis®) is given as a shot into the thigh muscle. A shot is given each month, or every 28 to 30 days, during the RSV season. A maximum of 5 doses per season is recommended. Babies hospitalized during the RSV season should receive their first dose before being discharged.
Your baby may still get RSV even after receiving palivizumab (Synagis®). If your baby does get an RSV infection while receiving palivizumab (Synagis®), they do not need to continue monthly shots because they are unlikely to get another RSV infection in the same season.
Common side-effects include fever and rash. Skin reactions at the injection site, including swelling and redness, may also occur.
Serious side-effects include allergic reactions, which may be life-threatening. This can occur after any dose of palivizumab (Synagis®). Unusual bruising and tiny red spots on the skin have also been reported.
References:
- American Academy of Pediatric (AAP). Updated guidance for palivizumab prophylaxis among infants and young children at increased risk of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus infection. Pediatrics. 2014;134:415-420.
- Synagis (palivizumab) [prescribing information]. Gathersburg, MD: MedImmune, LLC; March 2014.
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