Pozelimab

Pediatric Medication
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This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Veopoz

Warning
  • Drugs like this one raise the risk of severe meningococcal infections. Life-threatening and deadly meningococcal infections have happened in people treated with drugs like this one. This type of infection can become life-threatening or deadly very fast if not treated early. Your child will need to get a meningococcal vaccine at least 2 weeks before starting this drug unless the doctor tells you otherwise. If your child has had a meningococcal vaccine before, they may need to get another one. Talk with the doctor if you have questions.
  • Meningococcal vaccines lower the risk of meningococcal infections but do not prevent all meningococcal infections from happening. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a meningococcal infection like headache with upset stomach or throwing up, fever, or stiff neck or back; confusion; fever with or without a rash or fast heartbeat; body aches with flu-like signs; or if light bothers your eyes.

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat people with a health problem called CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy (CHAPLE disease).

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

  • If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
  • If your child did not get a meningococcal vaccine.
  • If your child has a meningococcal infection or other type of infection.
  • If your child is getting intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

  • Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • This drug may raise the risk of other severe infections. This includes gonorrhea infections in some people. Talk to your child’s doctor to see if your child has a greater chance of gonorrhea, how to prevent gonorrhea, and if your child needs to get tested.
  • Make sure your child is up to date with all vaccines before treatment with this drug.
  • Have your child’s patient safety card with you at all times.
  • Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
  • Your child will be watched closely for at least 30 minutes after some doses of this drug. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has any bad effects while getting this drug or after getting it.
  • High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your child’s blood pressure checked as you have been told by the doctor.
  • This drug may raise the chance of a broken bone. Talk with the doctor.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

  • Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of a meningococcal infection like very bad headache with or without upset stomach, throwing up, fever, or stiff neck or back; confusion; high fever; fever with a rash; if light bothers the eyes; or very bad muscle aches or pain with or without flu-like signs.
  • Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
  • Bone pain.
  • Chest pain.
  • Dizziness or passing out.
  • Raised, red patches of skin that may be itchy.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

  • Signs of a common cold.
  • Hair loss.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time or as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

  • Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

  • If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

General drug facts

  • If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
  • Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-08-23

Copyright

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Last Updated

Saturday, August 26, 2023