Havrix IM - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Overview

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How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Havrix IM

Uses
This medication is used to help prevent infection from the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A infection can be mild with no symptoms or a severe illness that can rarely cause liver failure and death. Preventing infection can prevent these problems.Hepatitis A vaccine is made from whole, killed hepatitis A virus. It does not contain live virus, so you cannot get hepatitis from the vaccine. This vaccine causes the body to make defensive substances (antibodies) against hepatitis A virus that can protect you from infection with it. Hepatitis A vaccine does not protect you from other virus infections (e.g., HIV virus which causes AIDS, hepatitis B/C/E, HPV virus which causes genital warts and other problems).The vaccine is recommended for persons aged 12 months and older, especially those at an increased risk of getting the infection. Those at an increased risk include household and intimate contacts of persons with hepatitis A infection, institutional or daycare workers, lab workers, persons with multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, sex workers, injecting and non-injecting drug abusers, and persons traveling to high-risk areas.
Notes

Hepatitis A spreads very easily, often through contaminated food or water, infected food handlers, sexual contact with an infected individual, eating raw shellfish from contaminated water, poor sanitary conditions, and rarely by blood transfusions or sharing needles with actively infected persons.

Storage

Store refrigerated between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light.
Do not freeze.
Discard any product that has been frozen.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

How To Use

This vaccine is usually given by injection into a shoulder muscle by a health care professional.
Hepatitis A vaccine is a slightly milky, white suspension.
Before giving this medication, inspect it visually for particles or discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liquid.
Shake the vial or prefilled syringe well, and then measure the appropriate dose.
Do not dilute.
Use the full recommended dose of the vaccine.
Discard any remaining vaccine left in the vial/syringe.A series of 2 injections is usually given over a 6- to 18-month period.
Your doctor will give you a vaccination schedule, which must be followed closely for best effectiveness.
If you have an infection with fever at the time a vaccination is scheduled, your doctor may choose to delay the injection until you are better.Dosage is based on your age.
Different brands of hepatitis A vaccine are available and may be given differently.
Make sure that you receive the same brand for each injection.If you are receiving the first hepatitis A vaccine injection at a time when your doctor feels you may have been exposed to hepatitis A, you will also receive an injection of immune globulin (IG).
IG contains antibodies against the hepatitis A virus.
It will immediately help protect you against infection.
These antibodies only last a few months.
For long-term protection, it is important to follow your vaccination schedule exactly.

Side Effects

Pain/redness/swelling at the injection site, fever, and headache may occur.
Less common side effects may include bruising/itching at the injection site, pain/stiffness in the arm/shoulder/neck, sore throat, tiredness, weakness, muscle/joint aches, cold symptoms, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, irritability, agitation, and trouble sleeping.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Report all side effects to your doctor before you receive the next injection.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: irregular menstrual cycle.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: inability to make muscles of the legs/arms work (paralysis), seizures, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of serious brain problems (e.g., unusual behavior, confusion, severe drowsiness, severe tiredness, stiff neck, eye sensitivity to light).A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before getting hepatitis A vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to neomycin or formalin; or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems (e.g., hemophilia, low platelets, anticoagulant treatment), current illness with fever.If you have decreased immune function from other medications (see also Drug Interactions) or other illness (e.g., HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancer), your body may not make enough antibodies to protect you from hepatitis A infection.
Antibody levels should be checked after the vaccine series.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

It is important to receive each vaccination as scheduled.
Be sure to ask when each dose should be received and make a note on a calendar to help you remember.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of medications that can decrease immune function: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), cancer chemotherapy, organ transplant drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, azathioprine).If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting the hepatitis A vaccine.Other vaccines may be given at the same time as hepatitis A vaccine, but should be given with separate syringes and at different injection sites.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.