Dinutuximab injection may cause serious or life-threatening reactions that may occur while the medication is being given or up to 24 hours afterward. A doctor or nurse will watch your child closely while receiving the infusion and for at least 4 hours afterwards to provide treatment in case of a serious reaction to the medication. Your child may be given other medications before and while receiving dinutuximab to prevent or manage reactions to dinutuximab. Tell your doctor immediately if your child experiences any of the following symptoms during your infusion or up to 24 hours after your infusion: hives; rash; itching; reddening of the skin; fever; chills; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips; dizziness; faintness; or a fast heartbeat.
Dinutuximab injection can cause damage to nerves that may result in pain or other symptoms. Your child may receive pain medication before, during, and after the dinutuximab infusion. Tell your child's doctor or other health care provider(s) immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms during and after the infusion: severe or worsening pain, particularly in the stomach, back, chest, muscles or joints or numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the feet or hands.
Keep all appointments with your child's doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your child's response to dinutuximab injection.
Dinutuximab injection is used in combination with other medications to treat neuroblastoma (a cancer that begins in nerve cells) in children who have responded to other treatments. Dinutuximab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by killing cancer cells.
Dinutuximab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over 10 to 20 hours by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility or infusion center. It is usually given for 4 consecutive days within a treatment cycle for up to 5 cycles.
Be sure to tell the doctor how your child is feeling during the treatment. Your child's doctor may decrease the dose, or stop the treatment for a while or permanently if your child experiences side effects to the medication.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before receiving dinutuximab injection,
If you miss an appointment to receive dinutuximab, call your child's doctor as soon as possible.
Dinutuximab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If your child experiences any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
Dinutuximab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( Web Site) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.