RABIESVACCINE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Other commonly used names are: HDCV RVA
Note: | For quick reference, the following rabies vaccines are numbered tomatch the corresponding brand names. |
Category
- Immunizing agent, active?Rabies Vaccine Adsorbed; Rabies Vaccine, Human Diploid Cell
Description
Rabies (RAY-beez)Vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to preventinfection caused by the rabies virus. The vaccine works by causing your bodyto produce its own protection (antibodies) against the rabies virus.
Rabies vaccine is used in two ways. Rabies vaccine is given to personswho have been exposed (for example, by a bite, scratch, or lick) to an animalthat is known, or thought, to have rabies. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis.Rabies vaccine may also be given ahead of time to persons who have a highrisk of getting infected with rabies virus. These persons include veterinarians,animal handlers, travelers who will spend more than 1 month in countries havinga high rate of rabies infection, and persons who live, work, or take vacationsin wild areas of the country where they are likely to come into contact withwild animals. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Rabies infection is a serious, and often fatal, infection. In the U.S.,rabies in wild animals, especially raccoons, skunks, and bats, accounts formost cases of rabies passed on to humans, pets, and other domestic animals.In Canada, the animals most often infected with rabies are foxes, skunks,bats, dogs, and cats. Horses, swine, and cattle also have been known to becomeinfected with rabies. In much of the rest of the world, including Latin America,Africa, and Asia, dogs account for most cases of rabies passed on to humans.
If you are being (or will be) treated for a possible rabies infection whiletraveling outside of the U.S. or Canada, contact your doctor as soon as youreturn to the U.S. or Canada, since it may be necessary for you to have additionaltreatment.
This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision ofyour doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the followingdosage form:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Receiving This Vaccine
In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of using the vaccine must be weighedagainst the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.For rabies vaccine, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to rabies vaccine, or to cow (bovine) serum, human albumin,kanamycin, monkey proteins, neomycin, polymyxin B, or thimerosal, since someof these may also be present in the vaccine. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals. However, the use of rabies vaccine in pregnantwomen has not been reported to cause problems.
Breast-feeding?Rabies vaccine has not been reported to cause problemsin nursing babies.
Children?This vaccine is not expected to cause different sideeffects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults?Many vaccines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof rabies vaccine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. While you are receivingrabies vaccine, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Cancer medicines or
- Corticosteroids (i.e., cortisone-like medicines) or
- Medicine to prevent malaria, such as chloroquine (Aralen), hydroxychloroquine(Plaquenil), or mefloquine (Lariam), or
- Radiation therapy?These treatments may reduce the useful effectof the vaccine
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of rabies vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Illness, severe, with fever?The symptoms of the condition maybe confused with the possible side effects of the vaccine
- Immune deficiency condition (or family history of)?May decreasethe useful effects of the vaccine
Proper Use of This Vaccine
In order for rabies vaccine to work properly, it isvery important that you do not miss any doses. Keep your appointmentswith your doctor.
Dosing?The dose of rabies vaccine will be differentfor different patients. The number of injections and the time between injectionsdepend on the reason for which you are receiving rabies vaccine.
For rabies vaccine adsorbed- For injection dosage form:
- For post-exposure prophylaxis if you have never received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one dosethree, seven, fourteen, and twenty-eight days later for a total of five doses.The vaccine is injected into the muscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very youngor small children may have the vaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh)muscle. On the first day, you will also receive an injection of another medicine(rabies immune globulin).
- For post-exposure prophylaxis if you have received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one dosethree days later for a total of two doses. The vaccine is injected into themuscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very young or small children may have thevaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh) muscle.
- For pre-exposure prophylaxis if you have never received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one doseseven and twenty-one or twenty-eight days later for a total of three doses.The vaccine is injected into the muscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very youngor small children may have the vaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh)muscle.
- For pre-exposure prophylaxis if you have received rabies vaccinebefore (also known as a booster dose):
- Adults and children?One dose injected into the muscle (deltoid)in the upper arm. Very young or small children may have the vaccine injectedinto the upper leg (thigh) muscle.
For rabies vaccine, human diploid cell- For injection dosage form:
- For post-exposure prophylaxis if you have never received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one dosethree, seven, fourteen, and twenty-eight days later for a total of five doses.The vaccine is injected into the muscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very youngor small children may have the vaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh)muscle. On the first day, you will also receive an injection of another medicine(rabies immune globulin).
- For post-exposure prophylaxis if you have received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one dosethree days later for a total of two doses. The vaccine is injected into themuscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very young or small children may have thevaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh) muscle.
- For pre-exposure prophylaxis if you have never received rabies vaccinebefore:
- Adults and children?One dose on the first day, then one doseseven and twenty-one or twenty-eight days later for a total of three doses.The vaccine is injected into, or under the skin of, the muscle (deltoid) inthe upper arm. Very young or small children may have the vaccine injectedinto the upper leg (thigh) muscle.
- For pre-exposure prophylaxis if you have received rabies vaccinebefore (also known as a booster dose):
- Adults and children?One dose injected into, or under the skinof, the muscle (deltoid) in the upper arm. Very young or small children mayhave the vaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh) muscle.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this vaccine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Precautions While Receiving This Vaccine
This vaccine may cause some people to become dizzy. Make sure you knowhow you react to this vaccine before you drive, use machines, or do anythingelse that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.
Side Effects of This Vaccine
Along with its needed effects, a vaccine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if either of the following sideeffects occur:
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the vaccine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Chills; dizziness; fever; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; itching, pain, redness, orswelling at the place of injection; muscle or jointaches; nausea; stomach orabdomen pain; tiredness or weakness
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Developed: 08/31/1994
