drug-information.ru

|Varivax

Varivax

Varivax is used for:

Preventing varicella (chickenpox) infections in patients 12 months of age and older.

Varivax is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies against the virus that causes chickenpox. This helps to provide long-term protection against chickenpox.

Do NOT use Varivax if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Varivax , including gelatin
• you have a history of allergic reaction to neomycin
• you have blood or bone marrow problems (eg, low white blood cell or platelet levels, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancer of the blood or bone marrow)
• you are taking medicine that weakens the immune system
• you have immune system problems (eg, HIV, AIDS, cellular immune deficiency)
• you have a family history of immune system problems, unless you are medically proven to have no immune system problems
• you have active, untreated tuberculosis (TB)
• you have a fever with a respiratory illness or an active infection
• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Varivax :

Some medical conditions may interact with Varivax . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have cancer, are very ill, or have a history of immune system problems or recent infection
• if you have had a blood or platelet transfusion or have received immune globulin or varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) within the past 5 months

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Varivax . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of infection may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Varivax may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Varivax :

Use Varivax as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Varivax is administered as an injection at your doctor"s office or clinic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Varivax .
• If you miss a dose of Varivax , contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Varivax .

Important safety information:

• This vaccine contains a weakened form of the varicella (chickenpox) virus. This is necessary to provide the best immunity.
• The length of time that Varivax protects you from chickenpox infection is unknown.
• Avoid close contact with newborns, pregnant women who have not had chickenpox, people taking cancer chemotherapy, people who are very ill, and other people with immune system problems for 6 weeks after you receive this vaccine.
• Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin or other salicylates (eg, bismuth) for at least 6 weeks after receiving this vaccine.
• Do not receive this vaccine for at least 5 months after blood or plasma transfusions, or administration of immune globulin or VZIG.
• You should usually not receive any immune globulin, including VZIG, for 2 months after you receive this vaccine.
• Varivax is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 months of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if this vaccine can cause harm to the fetus. Do not use this vaccine if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking Varivax and for 3 months following vaccination. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Varivax . It is unknown if Varivax is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Varivax , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Varivax :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Fever; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chickenpox-like rash; numbness or tingling of the skin; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe headache; unusual bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Varivax is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Varivax at home, store Varivax as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Varivax , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Varivax is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Varivax . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.