Attenuvax

Preventing measles.

Attenuvax is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies to measles.

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Attenuvax , including gelatin
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to neomycin
• you have a weakened immune system (eg, advanced HIV, AIDS, decreased gamma globulin levels), blood problems, cancer affecting the blood or bone marrow (eg, leukemia), a fever, or tuberculosis (TB)
• you are pregnant
• you are taking immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine)

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

Some medical conditions may interact with Attenuvax . 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 are allergic to eggs
• if you have an infection, a tumor, HIV, a history of seizures or head injury, or a family history of seizures or weak immune systems
• if you have had a recent blood or plasma transfusion, or have received immune globulin or a tuberculin test

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

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), interferon, or vitamin A because the effectiveness of Attenuvax may be decreased, or risk of infection may be increased
• Immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine) because the effectiveness of Attenuvax may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Attenuvax 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.

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

• Attenuvax is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Attenuvax at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Attenuvax contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Attenuvax , contact your doctor to set up a new dosing schedule.

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

• Attenuvax may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Attenuvax .
• Attenuvax may decrease the effectiveness of tuberculin tests. If you are scheduled to have a tuberculin test within 6 weeks after receiving this vaccination, contact your doctor. You may need to reschedule your tuberculin test.
• Keep written documentation of all vaccinations received to help avoid unnecessary doses. Be sure that your doctor knows the dates that you have received other vaccinations.
• Use Attenuvax with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 months of age. Use of Attenuvax is not recommended in CHILDREN younger than 6 months of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Attenuvax if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 months after receiving Attenuvax . It is unknown if Attenuvax is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Attenuvax , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

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:

Burning or stinging at the injection site; diarrhea; dizziness; general unwell feeling; headache; irritability; mild fever; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes; numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision or hearing changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects atIf OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control centeror emergency room immediately.

Attenuvax is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Attenuvax at home, store Attenuvax as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Attenuvax out of the reach of children and away from pets.

• If you have any questions about Attenuvax , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Attenuvax 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 Attenuvax . 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.

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