Zostavax

This medication is a vaccine used to prevent zoster (shingles) in adults 60 years and older. Zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have been infected with chickenpox (usually in childhood), the virus can live in your body's nerve roots in an inactive form. For reasons that are not fully understood, the virus may become active again. This causes shingles with symptoms of rash, blisters, and pain. This vaccine works by boosting the body's natural defense (immunity) against the zoster virus so that symptoms of shingles do not develop. It should not be used for treating active shingles or nerve pain caused by shingles. This vaccine should not be used in children.

Not applicable.

Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider. This vaccine is given by injection under the skin by a health care professional. It is usually given in the upper arm.

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 receiving this vaccination, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), drugs that lower the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus). The pneumococcal vaccine should not be given at the same time as this vaccine because the shingles vaccine may not work as well. Ask your doctor when it is best to receive these vaccinations. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

This vaccine is given as a single dose. Although this vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles, it may not fully protect everyone who receives the vaccine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the need for other vaccines to prevent potentially severe illness (e.g., flu shots).

Overdose with this vaccine is highly unlikely. If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center.

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any vaccines; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as neomycin, gelatin), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before receiving this vaccination, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: immune system problems (e.g., due to HIV, cancer treatment, organ transplant), untreated active tuberculosis. Before receiving this vaccination, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current fever/illness, previous reaction to other vaccine. Caution is advised if you have regular close contact with family/household members with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to cancer) or who may be pregnant. It is not known if infection may occur from close contact with someone who has received this vaccine. Consult your doctor for more details. This vaccine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Pregnancy should also be avoided for 3 months after receiving this vaccine. Consult your doctor for more details. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This vaccine is given in a doctor's office and will not be stored at home.

Redness, itching, swelling, warmth, bruising, and pain at the injection site may occur. Headache may also occur. 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. 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 (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.