This information explains how to care for your child after their Naxitamab immunotherapy treatment. In this resource, the words “you” and “your” refer to you or your child.
You recently had Naxitamab immunotherapy treatment to help treat your neuroblastoma or osteosarcoma. Neuroblastoma (neu-rob-las-tom-a) is cancer that develops in a part of your peripheral nervous system. Osteosarcoma (os·te·o·sar·co·ma) is a type of bone cancer.
Most side effects after this treatment usually don’t last longer than the week of treatment. There is a chance you still will have some side effects after discharge (leaving the hospital).
Common Side Effects
Pain
The most common side effect of Naxitamab immunotherapy is pain. It usually is most severe during treatment, but there can be pain after discharge. Everyone feels a different amount of pain.
Things to remember:
- You may have pain after discharge. Before you leave the hospital, be sure you have the pain medication your healthcare provider prescribed.
- Do not take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) to ease pain unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
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Take pain medication only as prescribed. If the medication isn’t helping your pain or if you’re having any side effects, call your healthcare provider. Side effects include:
- Constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual).
- Nausea (feeling like throwing up).
- Fatigue (feeling very tired).
- Itching.
Next dose of pain medication can be given at: _________ a.m./p.m.
Medication Name:_________________________
Medication Amount: _______ every _______ hours as needed for pain.
Allergic reactions
You may have an allergic reaction to Naxitamab immunotherapy treatment. It can include an itchy rash, redness, or swelling. These reactions can happen at any time between treatments. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you medication to help with this.
Things to remember:
- Changes in your breathing or shortness of breath can be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Your healthcare provider will give you a prescription for allergy medication. Make sure you have the medication with you before you leave the hospital. Medications include hydroxyzine (Vistaril®) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl®).
Next dose of antihistamine can be given at: _________ a.m./p.m.
Medication Name:_________________________
Medication Amount: ______ every ______ hours as needed for allergy symptoms.
Fever
You may have a fever after your treatment. It may be related to treatment or a sign of infection. You should make sure you have a thermometer at home. It’s important to call your healthcare provider for instructions if you have:
- A fever of 100.4° F (38°C) to 100.9 ° F (38.2°C) that lasts for longer than 1 hour.
- A fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
Central venous catheter infections
A central line, or central venous catheter, is like an artificial vein. It will make it easier for your care team to access your blood vessels for medications and tests. Central lines can collect bacteria and cause infection. You may have a fever, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the catheter site. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Does your child have a central line (MediPort®, Broviac®, PICC)? YES/NO
Please see comment area below for more instructions:
Trouble going to the bathroom
You may be constipated or have trouble urinating (peeing). This is a common side effect of many pain medications. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help you with urinating and moving your bowels (pooping).
What you can do:
- Apply a warm, wet cloth to your stomach below your belly button to help you urinate.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Follow your healthcare provider’s ’s instructions for managing constipation.
Nausea and vomiting
You may experience some nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up) and vomiting (throwing up). Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help with this.
Next dose of antinausea medication can be given at: _________ a.m./p.m.
Medication Name:_________________________
Medication Amount: _______ every _______ hours as needed for nausea.
Return to Clinic
Please return to clinic on______________ at______________a.m./p.m.
for ________________________________.
Call Your Healthcare Provider If:
- You have a fever of 100.4° F (38°C) to 100.9 ° F (38.2°C) that lasts for longer than 1 hour.
- You have a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
- Signs of possible infection, such as pale skin, sweating, or chills.
- You have not urinated in ______ hours or longer
- You have not had a bowel movement in ________ days
- You have pain that does not get better or gets worse after taking your medication.
- You have nausea or vomiting that will not stop.
- You vomit every time you drink something. This may cause dehydration.
- You have a sudden headache that will not go away.
- You see changes in your mood or behavior.
- You have a cough that will not stop.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, contact a member of your care team directly. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you have a question that does not need an answer right away, use MyMSK, our patient portal. You can send a message to your care team though MyMSK.
If you need to reach a pediatric fellow after 5 p.m., during the weekend, or on a holiday, call 212-639-2000.
Urgent Care Center
You may need to go to MSK’s Pediatric Urgent Care Center (UCC). The Pediatric UCC is located on the 9th floor of Memorial Hospital (MSK’s main hospital).
The closest entrance is located at 1275 York Avenue (at E. 68th Street). This entrance is always open. Once you’re in the hospital, take the M elevators to the 9th floor. Check in at the M9 front desk.
Go to the UCC or Call 911 If You Have:
- Shortness of breath.
- Trouble breathing.
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the catheter site.
- Swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat.