This information explains how to care for yourself after your naxitamab immunotherapy treatment. In this resource, the word “you” means you or your child.
You recently had naxitamab immunotherapy treatment to help treat your neuroblastoma or osteosarcoma. Neuroblastoma (NOOR-oh-blas-TOH-muh) is cancer that develops in a part of your peripheral nervous system. Osteosarcoma (OS-tee-oh-sar-KOH-muh) 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
Pain is the most common side effect of naxitamab immunotherapy. It’s usually strongest during the naxitamab infusion, but you may also have pain once you’re home. You may feel a different amount of pain at different times.
Things to remember:
- You may have pain after discharge. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have the pain medicine we prescribed.
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Do not take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) to ease pain unless we tell you to.
- Always take your temperature before taking these medicines. They can hide a fever, and any fever should be checked by your healthcare team.
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Take pain medicine only as prescribed. If the medicine isn’t helping your pain or if you’re having any side effects, call us. Side effects include:
- Constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual).
- Nausea (feeling like throwing up).
- Fatigue (feeling very tired).
- Itching.
Next dose of pain medicine can be given at: __________ a.m. | p.m.
Medicine name: ________________________________________
Medicine amount: __________ every __________ hours as needed for pain.
Allergic reactions
You may have an allergic reaction, such as an itchy rash, redness, or swelling. These reactions can happen at any time between naxitamab treatments. We will prescribe an allergy medicine for you to take at home, such as hydroxyzine (Vistaril®) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl®).
Things to remember:
- Changes in your breathing or shortness of breath can be a sign of an allergic reaction. Call 911 and seek emergency care if you have any concerns about your breathing.
- We will give you a prescription for allergy medicine. Make sure you have this medicine with you before you leave the hospital.
Next dose of antihistamine can be given at: __________ a.m. | p.m.
Medicine name: _________________________
Medicine 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. Make sure you have a thermometer at home. It’s important to call us for instructions if you have:
- A fever of 100.4 to 100.9 °F (38 to 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 medicines and tests. Central lines can collect bacteria (germs) and cause infection. You may have a fever, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the catheter site. Call us right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Please see comment area below for more instructions:
Trouble going to the bathroom
You may be constipated (have trouble pooping) or have trouble urinating (peeing). This is a common side effect of many pain medicines. We may prescribe medicine to help you with peeing and moving your bowels (pooping).
What you can do:
- Apply a warm, wet cloth to your stomach below your belly button to help you pee.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Follow our instructions for managing constipation.
Nausea and vomiting
You may have some nausea and vomiting (throwing up). We may prescribe medicine to help with this.
Next dose of antinausea medicine can be given at: __________ a.m. | p.m.
Medicine name: _________________________
Medicine amount: __________ every __________ hours as needed for nausea.
When to come back to clinic
Please come back to clinic on _________________________ at __________ a.m. | p.m. for:
When to call your care team
Call 911 and seek emergency care if:
- You have shortness of breath.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have any concerns about your breathing.
Call your care team if:
- Your lips, tongue, or throat are swelling.
- You have a fever of 100.4 to 100.9 °F (38 to 38.2 °C) for longer than 1 hour.
- You have a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
- You have pale skin, sweating, or chills. These can be signs of an infection.
- You have not peed in a certain number of hours. Your care team will tell you how many.
- You have not had a bowel movement (pooped) in a certain number of days. Your care team will tell you how many.
- You have pain that does not get better or gets worse after taking your medicine.
- You have nausea or vomiting that will not stop.
- You vomit every time you drink.
- You have a sudden headache that will not go away.
- Your vision changes.
- You have a seizure.
- You see changes in your mood, behavior, or alertness.
- You have a cough that will not stop.
- The area where your central line enters your body is red, swollen, or tender.
Contact information
Contact a member of your care team directly if you have questions. You can reach them Monday through Friday from to After , during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask for the pediatric fellow.
If you have a question that does not need an answer right away, you can send a message to your care team though MSK MyChart. MSK MyChart is MSK’s patient portal.
About MSK’s Pediatric Urgent Care Center (UCC)
Depending on your symptoms, your care team may tell you to go to MSK’s Pediatric UCC.
The Pediatric UCC is on the 9th floor of Memorial Hospital (MSK’s main hospital). The closest entrance is at 1275 York Avenue (at E. 68 Street). This entrance is always open. Once you’re in the hospital, take the M elevators to the 9th floor and check in at the desk.
