9815608
Patient Information about
ZOSTAVAX® (pronounced “ZOS tah vax
Generic name: Zoster Vaccine Live
You should read this summary of
information about ZOSTAVAX1
before you are vaccinated. If
you have any questions about
ZOSTAVAX after reading this
leaflet, you should ask your health
care provider. This information
does not take the place of talking
about ZOSTAVAX with your doctor,
nurse, or other health care provider.
Only your health care provider can
decide if ZOSTAVAX is right for you.
•
are allergic to any of its
ingredients.
•
are allergic to gelatin or
neomycin.
•
have a weakened immune
system (for example, an immune
deficiency, leukemia, lymphoma,
or HIV/AIDS).
•
t ake high doses of steroids by
injection or by mouth.
•
are pregnant or plan to get
pregnant.
What is ZOSTAVAX and how does
it work?
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that is used
for adults
60
years of age or older to
prevent shingles (also known as zoster).
You should not get ZOSTAVAX
to prevent chickenpox.
Children should not get
ZOSTAVAX.
ZOSTAVAX contains a weakened
chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster
virus).
How is ZOSTAVAX given?
ZOSTAVAX is given as a single
dose by injection under the skin.
ZOSTAVAX works by helping your
immune system protect you from
getting shingles. If you do get
shingles even though you have
been vaccinated, ZOSTAVAX may
help prevent the nerve pain that
can follow shingles in some people.
ZOSTAVAX may not protect
everyone who gets the vaccine.
ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat
shingles once you have it.
What do I need to know about
shingles and the virus that causes it?
Shingles is caused by the same
virus that causes chickenpox. Once
you have had chickenpox, the virus
can stay in your nervous system for
many years. For reasons that are
not fully understood, the virus may
become active again and give you
shingles. Age and problems with
the immune system may increase
your chances of getting shingles.
Shingles is a rash that is usually
on one side of the body. The rash
begins as a cluster of small red
spots that often blister. The rash
can be painful. Shingles rashes
usually last up to
30
days and, for
most people, the pain associated
with the rash lessens as it heals.
Who should not get ZOSTAVAX?
You should not get ZOSTAVAX
if you:
What should I tell my health
care provider before I get
ZOSTAVAX?
You should tell your health care
provider if you:
•
have or have had any medical
problems.
•
t ake any medicines, including
nonprescription medicines, and
dietary supplements.
•
have any allergies, including
allergies to neomycin or
gelatin.
•
had an allergic reaction to
another vaccine.
•
are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant.
•
are breast-feeding.
Tell your health care provider if
you expect to be in close contact
(including household contact)
with newborn infants, someone
who may be pregnant and has
not had chickenpox or been
vaccinated against chickenpox,
or someone who has problems
with their immune system.
Your health care provider can
tell you what situations you may
need to avoid.
What are the possible side effects
of ZOSTAVAX?
The most common side effects
that people in the clinical studies
reported after receiving the vaccine
include:
''Registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
Copyright © 2006 Merck & Co., Inc.
Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
All rights reserved
')
•
tedness, pain, itching, swelling,
warmth, or bruising where the
shot was given.
•
headache.
The following additional side
effects have been reported in
general use with ZOSTAVAX:
•
allergic reactions, which may
be serious and may include
difficulty in breathing or
swallowing. If you have an
allergic reaction, call your doctor
right away.
•
fever
•
hives at the injection site
•
joint pain
•
muscle pain
•
tash
•
tash at the injection site
•
swollen glands near the injection
site (that may last a few days to a
few weeks)
Tell your health care provider
if you have any new or unusual
symptoms after you receive
ZOSTAVAX.
What are the ingredients of
ZOSTAVAX?
Active Ingredient: a weakened form
of the varicella-zoster virus.
Inactive Ingredients: sucrose,
hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, sodium
chloride, monosodium L-glutamate,
sodium phosphate dibasic,
potassium phosphate monobasic,
potassium chloride.
What else should I know about
ZOSTAVAX?
Vaccinees and their health care
providers are encouraged to call
(
800
)
986-8999
to report any
exposure to ZOSTAVAX during
pregnancy.
This leaflet summarizes important
information about ZOSTAVAX.
If you would like more information,
talk to your health care
provider or visit the website at
www.ZOSTAVAX.com or call
1
-
800
-
622
-
4477
.
Rx only
Issued April
2009
Distributed by:
MERCK & CO., INC.
Whitehouse Station, NJ
08889
, USA
20904745(1
)(
608
)-ZOS-CON
