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FluMist, |FluMist nasal

FluMist

Generic Name: influenza virus vaccine (nasal) (in floo ENZ a VYE rus VAK seen)
Brand Names: FluMist

What is influenza virus nasal vaccine?

Influenza virus (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other surfaces.

Influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of activated (live) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.

Influenza virus vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. Influenza virus vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Influenza virus nasal (live virus) vaccine may cause you to have mild flu-like symptoms. However, you may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by strains of influenza virus that are not contained in the vaccine.

Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").

Developing influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. The influenza virus vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is the most important information I should know about influenza virus nasal vaccine?

Developing influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. The influenza virus vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

You can still receive influenza virus nasal vaccine if you have a minor cold. However, if you are moderately or severely ill with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you recover before receiving this vaccine.

Influenza virus nasal (live virus) vaccine may cause you to have mild flu-like symptoms. However, you may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by strains of influenza virus that are not contained in the vaccine.

Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving influenza virus nasal vaccine?

• a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (especially if you had it within 6 weeks after receiving a flu vaccine);

• any condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV, AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma); or

• if you are allergic to eggs or egg products.

Before receiving influenza virus vaccine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or:

• if you have asthma or other lung disorder;

• if you have used a flu medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) within the past 48 hours;

• if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments; or

• if someone in your household has a condition that weakens the immune system.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive the influenza virus vaccine, or you may need to wait until your situation changes or you have completed your treatments.

How is influenza virus nasal vaccine given?

This vaccine is given as a nasal spray into each nostril. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this vaccine.

You should receive a flu vaccine every year. Your immunity will gradually decrease over the 12 months after you receive the influenza virus vaccine. Children receiving this vaccine may need a repeat dose two months after receiving the first vaccine.

The influenza virus vaccine is usually given in October or November. Some people may need to have their vaccines earlier or later. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

You can still receive an influenza virus nasal vaccine if you have a minor cold. However, if you are moderately or severely ill with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you recover before receiving this vaccine.

Your doctor may recommend using a non-aspirin pain reliever to prevent pain or fever that can occur with this vaccination. Over-the-counter pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, and others) or ibuprofen (Motrin Childrens, Advil Childrens, and others). Use this medication when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use only the dose your doctor recommends.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since influenza virus vaccine is usually given only one time per year, you will most likely not be on a dosing schedule. Call your doctor if you forget to receive your yearly vaccination in October or November.

If your child misses a booster dose of this vaccine, call your doctor for instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of influenza virus nasal vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after getting influenza virus nasal vaccine?

For at least 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine, avoid using antiviral medications that are normally used to treat flu symptoms, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).

For at least 21 days after receiving influenza virus nasal vaccine, avoid close contact with people who have conditions that can weaken the immune system, such as HIV, AIDS, or cancer, and those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments. A person with a weak immune system can become ill through close contact with someone who has recently received a live virus vaccine.

Influenza virus nasal vaccine side effects

• severe weakness or unusual feeling in your arms and legs (may occur 2 to 4 weeks after you receive the vaccine); or

• high fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• low fever, chills;

• runny or stuffy nose;

• sore throat, cough;

• headache;

• feeling tired or irritable;

• vomiting; or

• muscle pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect influenza virus nasal vaccine?

Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:

• azathioprine (Imuran);

• basiliximab (Simulect);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

• etanercept (Enbrel);

• leflunomide (Arava);

• muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);

• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);

• sirolimus (Rapamune);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer;

• a steroid medicine such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), triamcinolone (Aristocort), and others; or

• an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive influenza virus vaccine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect influenza virus vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, and other vaccines you receive. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist may have information about influenza virus vaccine written for health professionals that you may read. You may also find additional information from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.