Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated (Intramuscular Route)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

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Before Using

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Havrix brand hepatitis A vaccine is not recommended for infants and children younger than 2 years of age. For children 2 years of age and older, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Vaqta brand hepatitis A vaccine is not recommended for infants and children younger than 12 months of age. For infants 12 months of age and older, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it dose in adults.

Geriatric

This vaccine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. Elderly people may be more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of hepatitis A vaccine.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy CategoryExplanation
All TrimestersCAnimal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Bleeding problems such as hemophilia or abnormal bleeding—Hepatitis A vaccine injection should be given with caution to avoid increased risks.
  • Illness with fever or
  • Severe infection—May need to delay receiving vaccine until patient is feeling better
  • Patients with unsatisfactory immune response—May cause the vaccine to not work as well
Proper Use Brand Names and Description

DR601649

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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