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unituxin

Unituxin (Dinutuximab) is a glycolipid disialoganglioside-directed antibody used to treat Neuroblastoma.

Dinutuximab · by United Therap

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Dinutuximab
Form
Injectable
Strength
Dinutuximab 17.5MG/5ML
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
May treat
neuroblastoma
Manufacturer
United Therap
FDA application
BLA125516

What is Unituxin?

From the FDA label:Dinutuximab is a glycolipid disialoganglioside (GD2)-binding chimeric monoclonal antibody composed of murine variable heavy and light chain regions and the human constant region for the heavy chain IgG 1 and light chain kappa. Dinutuximab is produced in the murine myeloma cell line, SP2/0 and has an approximate molecular weight of 150 kDa. Unituxin (dinutuximab) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear and colorless to slightly opalescent solution for intravenous infusion. Unituxin is supplied in single-dose vials of 17.5 mg/5 mL. Each mL of solution contains 3.5 mg of dinutuximab, and histidine (3.10 mg), polysorbate 20 (0.55 mg), sodium chloride (8.77 mg), and Water for Injection, USP; hydrochloric acid is added to adjust pH to 6.8.

How to use

Verify that patients have adequate hematologic, respiratory, hepatic, and renal function prior to initiating each course of Unituxin [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Administer required premedication and hydration prior to initiation of each Unituxin infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . 17.5 mg/m 2 /day as a diluted intravenous infusion over 10 to 20 hours for 4 consecutive days for up to 5 cycles. ( 2.1 , 2.4 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose The recommended dose of Unituxin is 17.5 mg/m 2 /day administered as an intravenous infusion over 10 to 20 hours for 4 consecutive days for a maximum of 5 cycles (Table 1 and Table 2) [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Studies (14) ] . Initiate at an infusion rate of 0.875 mg/m 2 /hour for 30 minutes. The infusion rate can be gradually increased as tolerated to a maximum rate of 1.75 mg/m 2 /hour. Follow dose modification instructions for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Table 1: Schedule of Unituxin Administration for Cycles 1, 3, and 5 Cycle Day 1 through 3 4 5 6 7 8 through 24 Cycles 1, 3, and 5 are 24 days in duration. Unituxin X X X X Table 2: Schedule of Unituxin Administration for Cycles 2 and 4 Cycle Day 1 through 7 8 9 10 11 12 through 32 Cycles 2 and 4 are 32 days in duration. Unituxin X X X X 2.2 Required Pre-treatment Guidelines Intravenous Hydration Administer 0.9% Sodium Chloride…

Side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Serious Infusion Reactions [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neurotoxicity, including Pain, Peripheral Neuropathy, Neurological Disorders of the Eye, Prolonged Urinary Retention, Transverse Myelitis, and Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Capillary Leak Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Bone Marrow Suppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Electrolyte Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse drug reactions (≥25%) are pain, pyrexia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, infusion reactions, hypotension, hyponatremia, increased alanine aminotransferase, anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, hypokalemia, capillary leak syndrome, neutropenia, urticaria, hypoalbuminemia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and hypocalcemia. ( 5 , 6.1 ) The most common serious adverse reactions (≥5%) are infections, infusion reactions, hypokalemia, hypotension, pain, fever, and capillary leak syndrome. ( 5 , 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE…

FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)

Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label

SERIOUS INFUSION REACTIONS AND NEUROTOXICITY WARNING: SERIOUS INFUSION REACTIONS AND NEUROTOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Infusion Reactions: Life-threatening infusion adverse reactions occur with Unituxin. Administer required prehydration and premedication. Immediately interrupt for severe infusion reactions and permanently discontinue for anaphylaxis [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 , 2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Neurotoxicity: Unituxin causes severe neuropathic pain. Administer intravenous opioid prior to, during, and for 2 hours following completion of the Unituxin infusion. Severe peripheral sensory neuropathy ranged from 2% to 9% in patients with neuroblastoma. Severe peripheral motor neuropathy has also been reported. Discontinue for severe unresponsive pain, severe sensory neuropathy, and moderate to severe peripheral motor neuropathy [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 , 2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Infusion Reactions Serious and potentially life-threatening infusion reactions occurred in 26% of patients treated with Unituxin. Administer required prehydration and premedication including antihistamines prior to each Unituxin infusion. Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of an infusion reaction during and for at least four hours following completion of each Unituxin infusion. Immediately interrupt Unituxin for severe infusion reactions and permanently discontinue Unituxin for anaphylaxis ( 2.2, 2.3, 5.1 ). Neurotoxicity Unituxin causes serious neurologic adverse reactions including severe neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy. Severe neuropathic pain occurs in the majority of patients. Administer intravenous opioid prior to, during, and for 2 hours following completion of the Unituxin infusion. In clinical studies of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, Grade 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 2% to 9% of patients. In clinical studies of Unituxin and related GD2-binding antibodies, severe motor neuropathy has occurred. Resolution of motor neuropathy did not occur in all cases. Discontinue Unituxin for severe unresponsive pain, severe sensory neuropathy, and moderate to severe peripheral motor neuropathy ( 2.2, 2.3, 5.2 ).

Warnings

Important safety information

Neurological Disorders of the Eye: Interrupt Unituxin for dilated pupil with sluggish light reflex or other visual disturbances and permanently discontinue Unituxin for recurrent eye disorders or loss of vision. ( 5.2 ) Prolonged Urinary Retention and Transverse Myelitis: Permanently discontinue Unituxin and institute supportive care. ( 5.2 ) Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): Permanently discontinue Unituxin and institute supportive care for signs and symptoms of RPLS. ( 5.2 ) Capillary Leak Syndrome and Hypotension: Administer required prehydration and monitor patients closely during treatment. Depending upon severity, manage by interruption, infusion rate reduction, or permanent discontinuation. ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) Infection: Interrupt until resolution of systemic infection. ( 5.5 ) Bone Marrow Suppression: Monitor peripheral blood counts during Unituxin therapy. ( 5.6 ) Electrolyte Abnormalities: Monitor serum electrolytes closely. ( 5.7 ) Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Permanently discontinue Unituxin and institute supportive management. ( 5.8 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.9 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Serious Infusion Reactions Serious infusion reactions requiring urgent intervention, including blood pressure support, bronchodilator therapy, corticosteroids, infusion rate reduction, infusion interruption, or permanent discontinuation of Unituxin, included facial and upper airway edema, dyspnea, bronchospasm, stridor, urticaria, and hypotension. Infusion reactions generally occurred during or within 24 hours of completing the Unituxin infusion. Due to overlapping signs and symptoms, it was not possible to distinguish between infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions in some cases. In Study 1, Severe (Grade 3 or 4) infusion reactions occurred in 35 (26%) patients in the Unituxin/13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) group compared to 1 (1%) patient receiving RA alone. Severe urticaria occurred in 17 (13%) patients in the Unituxin/RA group but did not occur in the RA group. Serious adverse reactions consistent with anaphylaxis and resulting in permanent discontinuation of Unituxin occurred in 2 (1%) patients in the Unituxin/RA group. Additionally, 1 (0.1%) patient had multiple cardiac arrests and died within 24 hours after having received Unituxin in Study 2. Prior to each Unituxin dose, administer required intravenous hydration and premedication with antihistamines, analgesics, and antipyretics [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions during and for at least 4 hours following completion of each Unituxin infusion in a setting where cardiopulmonary resuscitation medication and equipment are available. For mild to moderate infusion reactions, such as transient rash, fever, rigors, and localized urticaria, that respond promptly to antihistamines or antipyretics, decrease the Unituxin infusion rate and monitor closely. Immediately interrupt or permanently discontinue Unituxin and institute supportive management for severe or prolonged infusion reactions. Permanently discontinue Unituxin and institute supportive management for life-threatening infusion reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 5.2 Neurotoxicity Pain In Study 1, 114 (85%) patients treated in the Unituxin/RA group experienced pain despite pre-treatment with analgesics, including morphine sulfate infusion. Severe (Grade 3) pain occurred in 68 (51%) patients in the Unituxin/RA group compared to 5 (5%) patients in the RA group. Pain typically occurred during the Unituxin infusion and was most commonly reported as abdominal pain, generalized pain, extremity pain, back pain, neuralgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, and arthralgia. Premedicate with analgesics, including intravenous opioids, prior to each dose of Unituxin and continue analgesics until 2 hours following completion of Unituxin [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . For severe pain, decrease the Unituxin infusion rate to 0.875 mg/m 2 /hour. Discontinue Unituxin if pain is not adequately controlled despite infusion rate reduction and institution of maximum supportive measures [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Peripheral Neuropathy In Study 1, severe (Grade 3) peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 2 (1%) patients and severe peripheral motor neuropathy occurred in 2 (1%) patients in the Unituxin/RA group. No patients treated with RA alone experienced severe peripheral neuropathy. The duration and reversibility of peripheral neuropathy occurring in Study 1 was not documented. In Study 3, no patients experienced peripheral motor neuropathy. Among the 9 (9%) patients who experienced peripheral sensory neuropathy of any severity, the median (min, max) duration of peripheral sensory neuropathy was 9 (3, 163) days. In a study of a related anti-GD2 antibody conducted in 12 adult patients with metastatic melanoma, 2 (13%) patients developed severe motor neuropathy. One patient developed lower extremity weakness and inability to ambulate that persisted for approximately 6 weeks. Another patient developed severe lower extremity weakness resulting in an inability to ambulate without assistance that lasted for approximately 16 weeks and neurogenic bladder that lasted for approximately 3 weeks. Complete resolution of motor neuropathy was not documented in this case. Permanently discontinue Unituxin in patients with peripheral motor neuropathy of Grade 2 or greater severity, Grade 3 sensory neuropathy that interferes with daily activities for more than 2 weeks, or Grade 4 sensory neuropathy [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Neurological Disorders of the Eye Neurological disorders of the eye experienced by 2 or more patients treated with Unituxin in Studies 1, 2, or 3 included blurred vision, photophobia, mydriasis, fixed or unequal pupils, optic nerve disorder, eyelid ptosis, and papilledema. In Study 1, 3 (2%) patients in the Unituxin/RA group experienced blurred vision, compared to no patients in the RA group. Diplopia, mydriasis, and unequal pupillary size occurred in 1 patient each in the Unituxin/RA group, compared to no patients in the RA group. The duration of eye disorders occurring in Study 1 was not documented. In Study 3, eye disorders occurred in 16 (15%) patients, and in 3 (3%) patients resolution of the eye disorder was not documented. Among the cases with documented resolution, the median duration of eye disorders was 4 days (range: 0, 221 days). Interrupt Unituxin in patients experiencing dilated pupil with sluggish light reflex or other visual disturbances that do not cause visual loss. Upon resolution and if continued treatment with Unituxin is warranted, decrease the Unituxin dose by 50%. Permanently discontinue Unituxin in patients with recurrent signs or symptoms of an eye disorder following dose reduction and in patients who experience loss of vision [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Prolonged Urinary Retention Urinary retention that persists for weeks to months following discontinuation of opioids has occurred in patients treated with Unituxin. Permanently discontinue Unituxin in patients with urinary retention that does not resolve following discontinuation of opioids [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Postmarketing Experience (6.2) ] . Transverse Myelitis Transverse myelitis has occurred in patients treated with Unituxin. Promptly evaluate any patient with signs or symptoms of transverse myelitis, such as weakness, paresthesia, sensory loss, or incontinence. Permanently discontinue Unituxin in patients who develop transverse myelitis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Postmarketing Experience (6.2) ] . Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) has occurred in patients treated with Unituxin. Institute…

Who should not take Unituxin

Unituxin is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis to dinutuximab. History of anaphylaxis to dinutuximab. ( 4 )

Interactions

No drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted with dinutuximab.

Storing Unituxin, and how long it keeps

Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.

  • If blood pressure remains stable for at least 2 hours, increase the infusion rate as tolerated up to a maximum rate of 1.
  • Discard diluted Unituxin solution 24 hours after preparation.
  • Store Unituxin vials under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the outer carton to protect from light until time of use.
  • Store the diluted Unituxin solution under refrigeration (2°C to 8°C).

Drug class

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Unituxin treat?
Unituxin (Dinutuximab) may be used to treat neuroblastoma, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
Is there a coupon or discount for Unituxin?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Unituxin. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Unituxin?
Unituxin is marketed by United Therap. You can see United Therap's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Unituxin a brand-name or generic drug?
Unituxin is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Dinutuximab.
Is Unituxin available over the counter?
No. Unituxin is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Unituxin come in?
Unituxin is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Unituxin?
Unituxin is classified as glycolipid disialoganglioside-directed antibody, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Unituxin FDA-registered?
Unituxin is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number BLA125516. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Unituxin safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Unituxin. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Unituxin?
Unituxin's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Serious Infusion Reactions [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neurotoxicity, including Pain, Peripheral Neuropathy, Neurological Disorders of the Eye, Prolonged Urinary Retention,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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