Drug reference

Palivizumab

Monoclonal Antibody · Agent for RSV Prophylaxis

Also known as Synagis

Monoclonal AntibodyAgent for RSV Prophylaxis

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Mechanism

Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope in the A antigen site on the F surface protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). By binding to this protein, it aims to prevent serious lower respiratory-tract disease caused by RSV.

Indications

Prevention of serious lower respiratory-tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus in children at high risk of the diseasePrevention of RSV infection in high-risk infants and children, such as premature infants requiring supplemental oxygen and those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia or congenital heart diseasePrevention of RSV disease in infants born before 29 weeks, 0 days’ gestation, with chronic lung disease of prematurity, and those with hemodynamically significant cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease in the first year of life, and rarely in the second year of lifePrevention of serious lower respiratory-tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus in children at high risk of the disease and undergoing cardiac bypass surgeryprevention of hospitalization due to RSV in high-risk infantsprevention of RSV hospitalization in high-risk infants

Dosing

Pediatric: Child 1–23 months: 15 mg/kg once a month, preferably injected in the anterolateral thigh, to be administered during season of RSV risk. Injection volume over 1 mL should be divided between 2 or more sites. Dosed intramuscularly for up to 5 consecutive months.