Dinutuximab (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 29, 2022.
Serious and possibly life-threatening infusion reactions have been reported in 26% of patients receiving treatment with dinutuximab. Administer prehydration and premedication prior to each infusion and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions during treatment and for at least 4 hours after the infusion is completed. If severe infusion reactions occur during treatment, immediately stop the infusion. Permanently discontinue use if anaphylaxis occurs. Dinutuximab causes serious neurologic adverse reactions including severe neuropathic pain in most patients, as well as peripheral neuropathy (eg, peripheral sensory neuropathy, severe motor neuropathy). Not all cases of neuropathy were resolved during clinical trials. Administer IV opioids prior to, during, and for 2 hours after completion of treatment. Discontinue use if severe unresponsive pain, severe sensory neuropathy, or moderate to severe peripheral motor neuropathy occur .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Unituxin
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Uses for dinutuximab
Dinutuximab injection is used in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma (a type of cancer that most often occurs in young children). Dinutuximab is a GD2-binding monoclonal antibody.
Dinutuximab is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before using dinutuximab
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dinutuximab, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dinutuximab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dinutuximab injection in children.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dinutuximab injection in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
