Unituxin

Unituxin is used with other medicines to treat neuroblastoma (a rare cancer of the nervous system) in children.

Unituxin is usually given after the child has had some improvement from other treatments.

Unituxin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Call your doctor right away if your child has severe or worsening pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or issues with walking or daily activities.

Some side effects may happen during the injection or within 24 hours afterward, including dizziness, skin rash, chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing, or swelling in the face.

Your child should not be treated with Unituxin if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if your child has ever had:

• any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection;
• an eye disorder or vision problems;
• bone marrow suppression;
• low blood pressure;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low blood levels of potassium, sodium, or calcium);
• liver or kidney disease; or
• urination problems.

Get emergency medical help if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may happen during the injection or within 24 hours afterward. Inform your child's caregiver if your child feels dizzy or light-headed, or has a skin rash, chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing, or swelling in the face.

Capillary leak syndrome is a rare but serious side effect. Contact your doctor immediately if your child has signs of this condition: a stuffy or runny nose followed by tiredness, thirst, decreased urination, trouble breathing, and sudden swelling or weight gain.

Unituxin can harm red blood cells, which may lead to irreversible kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if your child has unusual bruising or bleeding, pale skin, confusion, tiredness or irritability, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, red or pink urine, swelling, rapid weight gain, and little or no urination.

Also contact your doctor immediately if your child has:

• sudden vision loss or changes in vision;
• headache, confusion, trouble thinking, seizure;
• severe dizziness or fainting;
• vomiting, diarrhea, feeling very sick;
• nerve problems—sharp or shooting pain, numbness or tingling, burning or cold feeling, weakness, loss of movement, difficulty walking or doing daily activities, loss of bladder or bowel control;
• low blood cell counts—fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance—increased thirst or urination, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, feeling jittery, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, or a choking feeling.

Common side effects of Unituxin may include:

• capillary leak syndrome;
• a reaction to the infusion;
• feeling light-headed;
• pain;
• low blood cell counts;
• an electrolyte imbalance;
• vomiting, diarrhea;
• rash; or
• abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Unituxin is injected into a vein.

Unituxin is injected slowly over 10 to 20 hours.

Unituxin is given in a 28-day treatment cycle. Your child will receive this injection only on certain days of the cycle.

Your doctor will decide how many cycles your child should receive.

Your child may be given other medicines to help prevent certain side effects.

Your child will be watched for at least 4 hours to make sure he or she does not have a reaction to the medicine.

Your child may need frequent medical tests and treatment may be delayed based on the results.

In a medical setting, your child is unlikely to miss a dose.

In a medical setting, an overdose would be managed promptly.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any limitations on food, drinks, or activities.

Other drugs may affect Unituxin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are using.