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Zostavax Vaccine
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Zostavax Vaccine is a medicine used in adults 50 years of age or older to prevent herpes zoster (also called shingles). It contains a weakened chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus). It works by helping your immune system protect you from getting herpes zoster.
It is given by a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. It prevents the nerve pain that can follow herpes zoster (shingles) in some people. It does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get the disease. It cannot be used to treat herpes zoster or the nerve pain that may follow shingles, once you have it.
The most common side effects of this medicine include redness, pain, itching, swelling, or bruising where the shot was given. It may also cause fever, and headache. If these side effects do not go away with time or get worse, let your doctor know. Your doctor may help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms.
To make sure the vaccine is safe for you, before receiving the vaccine, it is important to let your doctor know if you have any problems with your heart, liver, or kidneys. You should also tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
Uses of Zostavax Injection
- Prevention of Herpes zoster
Benefits of Zostavax Injection
In Prevention of Herpes zoster
Zostavax Vaccine helps prevent Herpes zoster infection, a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The vaccine induces persistent immunity to the viral infection in healthy children and adults. It also has the potential to lower the risk of reactivation of latent virus (latent virus means that the virus is in a resting phase, and is not producing more active viruses). It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered. Keeping the immune system healthy, is the best way to prevent it. Maintaining good hygiene is another way of preventing herpes zoster infection.
Side effects of Zostavax Injection
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Zostavax
- Fever
- Headache
- Injection site itching
- Pain
- Skin rash
- Erythema (skin redness)
- Swelling
- Upper respiratory tract infection
How to use Zostavax Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Zostavax Injection works
Zostavax Vaccine is a vaccine. It helps develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it does stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Zostavax Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zostavax Vaccine may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Zostavax Vaccine is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Zostavax Vaccine does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Zostavax Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Zostavax Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Zostavax Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Zostavax Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Zostavax Injection?
If you miss a dose of Zostavax Vaccine, please consult your doctor.\n
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine
Quick tips
- Zostavax Vaccine helps prevent herpes zoster and the long-lasting nerve pain that follows it.
- It is used to vaccinate individuals 50 years of age or older.
- It is injected under the skin or into the muscle, preferably in the upper arm as a single dose.
- You may get a rash or mild fever, feel tired or sore at the site of the injection.
- Do not take Zostavax Vaccine if you are pregnant or have a weak immune system.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Vaccines
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
VACCINES
Interaction with drugs
Taking Zostavax with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
Brand(s): Thioprinz, Lazorin, Azarid
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Purinetone, 6-MP, Captomer
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Methosis, Imotrax, Roxate
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Healgraft
Life-threatening
Patient concerns
User feedback
Patients taking Zostavax Vaccine
Once A Month
63%
Once A Day
20%
Once A Week
10%
Twice A Month
6%
Thrice A week
2%
What are you using Zostavax Injection for?
Shingles
38%
Others
38%
Chickenpox
25%
How much was the improvement?
Excellent
39%
Poor
33%
Average
28%
What were the side-effects while using Zostavax Vaccine?
No Side Effec*
50%
Injection sit*
25%
Fever
25%
*No Side Effect, Injection site itching
How do you take Zostavax Injection?
With food
67%
With or witho*
33%
*With or without food
Please rate Zostavax Vaccine on price
Expensive
56%
Average
44%
FAQs
Q. Is Zostavax Vaccine live or inactivated?
Zostavax Vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine. It contains a weakened virus that helps stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the actual infection causing virus. This helps protect the individual from getting infected in future, if exposed.
Q. How is Zostavax Vaccine administered?
Zostavax Vaccine should be administered under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional or a doctor and should not be self-administered. It is usually given intramuscularly (into the muscle). Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit from Zostavax Vaccine.
Q. Who should not get Zostavax Vaccine?
Zostavax Vaccine should not be given to people who are allergic to Zostavax Vaccine or any of its ingredients or if they have had an allergic reaction to it earlier. Individuals who have compromised immunity must also refrain from getting vaccinated with Zostavax Vaccine. Pregnant females too should not be administered Zostavax Vaccine.
Q. What are the possible side effects of Zostavax Vaccine?
The possible side effects of Zostavax Vaccine are fever, headache, injection site itching, pain, skin rash, erythema (skin redness), and swelling. However, these are usually not bothersome and will resolve in sometime. If they don’t, consult your doctor.
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Disclaimer:
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.References
- Sinha A, Singh S. Immunization and Immunodeficiency. In: Paul VK, Bagga A, editors. Ghai Essential Pediatrics. 8th ed. New Delhi: CBS Publisher's & Distributors Pvt Ltd.; 2013. p. 197.
- ScienceDirect. Varicella Zoster Virus. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Live Attenuated Varicella-Zoster Virus. Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire: Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited; 2003 [revised 19 Nov. 2018]. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccine (Live) BP [Summary of Product Characteristics]. Haarlem, The Netherlands: Merck SHarp & Dohme B.V.; 2016. [Accessed 19 Oct. 2023] (online) Available from:
Marketer details
Name: MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
Address: Platina, 8th Floor, C.59, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) , Mumbai - 400098,
Country of origin: India
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