Shingles Vaccine, Zostavax: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing (original) (raw)
What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
What brand names are available for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) available as a generic drug?
Do I need a prescription for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
What are the side effects of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
What is the dosage for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Which drugs or supplements interact with Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What else should I know about Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Zoster vaccine contains live, attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Varicella-zoster causes chickenpox and then becomes dormant in nerves. VZV reactivates and causes herpes zoster (shingles or zoster) later in life (usually 60 years of age or older) when immunity against VZV declines. Zoster vaccine stimulates the immune system to develop immunity against VZV. The FDA approved zoster vaccine in May 2006.
What brand names are available for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Zostavax
Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) available as a generic drug?
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
Do I need a prescription for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Yes
What are the side effects of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
The most common adverse effects are:
Some individuals may experience shingles or chickenpox-like rashes within 42 days after receiving zoster vaccine. Transmission of VZV virus from vaccinated individuals to other individuals occurs rarely.
Quick GuideShingles Rash Pictures, Symptoms, Vaccine Facts
What is the dosage for Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
Zoster vaccine is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the upper arm. The recommended dose is 0.65 ml.
Which drugs or supplements interact with Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
In clinical studies, concomitant use of zoster vaccine and Pneumovax reduced the activity of zoster vaccine.
Is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Zoster vaccine is not used for preventing shingles in women of child bearing age and should not be administered to pregnant women.
Zoster vaccine is not used for preventing shingles in nursing mothers.
What else should I know about Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine)?
What preparations of Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) are available?
Powder for Injection: 0.65 ml
How should I keep Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine) stored?
Powder should be stored frozen at 15 C (5 F) or colder until ready to use. Diluent should be stored at room temperature (20 C - 25 C [68 F - 77 F]) or refrigerated at (2 C - 8 C [36 F - 46 F]).
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information for Zostavax
Quick GuideShingles Rash Pictures, Symptoms, Vaccine Facts
Summary
Zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is an attenuated vaccine given to individuals age 60 or older for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). Side effects, warnings and precautions, pregnancy information, and complications, should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Picture of Shingles An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus as causes chickenpox. See a picture of Shingles and learn... -
Picture of Herpes Zoster Also called shingles, zona, and zoster. The culprit is the varicella-zoster virus. Primary infection with this virus causes... -
Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection (Face) Multiple, very pruritic, erythematous papules, vesicles (“dewdrops on a rose petal”), and crusted papules on erythematous,... -
Picture of Varicella (Chickenpox) Virus A highly infectious viral disease, known familiarly as chickenpox. See a picture of the Varicella (Chicken Pox) Virus and learn... -
Picture of Varicella Chicken Pox Varicella Chickenpox is caused by a virus of the herpes group. The disease is highly contagious and is spread by droplet or... -
Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection on Chest Wall Typical grouped vesicles and pustules with erythema and edema of three contiguous thoracic dermatomes on the posterior chest... -
Picture of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection Close-Up Grouped and confluent vesicles surrounding erythema on the chest wall. See a Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection: Close-Up and learn...
Related Disease Conditions
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Shingles Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache,... -
Is Shingles Contagious? Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles symptoms and signs include skin burning, numbness, and... -
Chickenpox (Varicella) Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation... -
Herpes Viral Infections of the Eye Herpes of the eye occurs due to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Symptoms of herpes of the eye include pain in and around the eye,... -
Postherpetic Neuralgia Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful complication of shingles. Symptoms include: severe pain, itchy skin, and...
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Reviewed on 3/30/2015
References
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information for Zostavax