Respigam

Respigam is an immunizing agent (vaccine) that keeps your child from getting infected by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through the production of virus-fighting antibodies in the body.

RSV infection is a serious condition causing lung problems such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Severe RSV infection is a life-threatening condition.

Children below 6 months having chronic lung conditions, heart diseases at birth and those born earlier than normal are more likely to develop such problems.

Normally, the RSV infections begin spreading in November and the RSV season lasts up to April or early May. The virus is most active from the end of January up to the middle of February.

Therefore, this medicine is recommended to be used before the RSV season begins.

RSV-IGIV is prescribed for children below 24 months who have lung problems or are born earlier than normal to keep them from getting severe infections of the lower portion of the respiratory tract.

Only a doctor or a trained health personnel can administer or supervise the administration of RSV-IGIV. It is available as Solution form.

Before using Respigam, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will do you more goods than the harms.

Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:

Allergies: Inform your doctor about the allergies your child has, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Pediatric: This medicine is not recommended for use in children 2 years and above, and those with chronic heart conditions at birth. Using this medicine in infants and children with latent lung problems increases the risk of fluid accumulation.

Geriatric: Since studies till date are carried out exclusively in infants and children below 24 months, the use of this medicine in older individuals is not well defined.

Pregnancy: It falls under pregnancy category C for all trimesters, meaning that due to lack of sufficient studies, it’s not clear if this medication is safe for use in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: Use of this medicine by a nursing mother has very low chances of any adverse effect on the infant.

Drug Interactions: Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions.

Inform you doctor about the intake of any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.

Other Interactions: Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe.

Inform your doctor if your child has any other medical conditions, including:

• Allergy to human immunoglobulins (human blood products)
• Lower levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

To use Respigam properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Inform your doctor if your child is following a special diet plan.

Dosing: For best results, follow your doctor to know what amount of medicine you should take in a single dose.

The doses of a medicine can differ according to the conditions for which it is being prescribed, your age and your overall health status. Remember your doses can differ. Consult your doctor if you have anything to ask.

The doses of injection to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection:

• Adults and children 24 months and older: No recommendation for use.
• Infants and children below 24 months: 750 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) body weight given by injection into a vein one time per month for 5 months.

In using Respigam, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Schedule regular doctor visits to determine your child’s progress and any unusual side effects.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Respigam to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

Consult your doctor immediately if your child has any of the following rare but serious side effects:

• Breathing and swallowing problems
• Excessive tiredness or weakness
• Itchy extremities
• Red areas around the ears
• Rapid heartbeats
• Swollen eyes, face, or inside of nose
• Sudden high-grade fever (39.2 В°C or102.6 В°F)
• Vomiting
• Welts

The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.