ZOSTAVAX® patient handout generic name: zoster vaccine live

doi:10.15406/ppij.2015.02.00012

eISSN: 2379-6367

Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal

Commentary Volume 2 Issue 1

ZOSTAVAX® patient handout generic name: zoster vaccine live

Anthony LaMendola

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Fairleigh Dickinson School of Pharmacy, USA

Correspondence: Anthony LaMendola, Pharmacy Intern, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, USA, Tel 7329616996

Received: January 08, 2015 | Published: February 10, 2015

Citation: LaMendola A. ZOSTAVAX® patient handout generic name: zoster vaccine live. Pharm Pharmacol Int J. 2015;2(1):27-28. DOI: 10.15406/ppij.2015.02.00012

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Commentary

ZOSTAVAX^® vaccine and how it works

ZOSTAVAX^®, a vaccine licensed by the FDA, helps patients reduce the risk of getting herpes zoster (also known as shingles), in patients 50years and older. ZOSTAVAX^® decreases the risk of recurrence of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes the chickenpox. The varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) may remain dormant in the body when patients recover for any number of years. The mechanism of ZOSTAVAX^® is to help your immune system protect you from getting shingles. You may still get shingles even though you have been vaccinated, however ZOSTAVAX^® may help counteract the nerve pain that can develop from shingles in some patients. ZOSTAVAX^® should not be used to treat shingles or the nerve pain that may result once you have it.

The virus that causes shingles and what is crucial to know

Anybody who has had the varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) is at risk for acquiring shingles. The varicella zoster virus can remaining your nervous system for many years and remains dormant. Research has been done and although it’s not fully understood, the virus may become active again and give you shingles. The elderly and/or a lowered immune system may increase your probabilities of getting shingles. Shingles is a rash or blisters that emergeon the skin, typically on one side of the body. The rash may be painful and long-lasting for some patients. Shingles rashes typically last for up to 30 days and, for most people, the pain from the rash reduces as it heals.

What population should not get ZOSTAVAX^®?

Don’t get ZOSTAVAX^® if you:Are allergic to any of the components in the vaccine

Are allergic to gelatin or neomycin
Have a weaker immune system caused by radiation, corticosteroids, AIDS and/or cancer of the lymph, bone or blood because ZOSTAVAX^® is a live vaccine and may cause complications when you’re immunocompromised
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
You should not get ZOSTAVAX^® to inhibit chickenpox. ZOSTAVAX^® is a live vaccine that contains a weakened strain of the varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). This will give you the chickenpox and can later surface as shingles
ZOSTAVAX^® is not for children and shouldn’t be a substitute for VARIVAX^®, the vaccine used to prevent chicken pox in children.
Patients who are in close contact with pregnant women and have not had chickenpox should talk to their physician or pharmacist to decide if using ZOSTAVAX^® is right for them. Pregnant women, according to the CDC, are told to wait to receive the chickenpox vaccine until after giving birth. For instance, after an individual receives the ZOSTAVAX^® vaccine and visits a pregnant woman who has never had the chickenpox. If she comes in direct contact with that individual with an active shingles rash while it is still blistering, then she can get chickenpox, which is contraindicated during pregnancy
Are less than 50years old because there is not enough evidence from the clinical trials to determine the risks and benefits of using ZOSTAVAX^®

How is ZOSTAVAX^® given?

ZOSTAVAX^® is given as a one-time intramuscular injection, preferably in the upper arm, in the pharmacy by a licensed and certified pharmacist.

Information that your Health Care Provider needs to Administer the ZOSTAVAX^® Vaccine
Your physician or pharmacist should know about any medical conditions or any of the following:

Any medications, including non-prescription medications and over-the-counter dietary supplements
Have any allergies, especially allergies to neomycin or gelatin
Had an allergic reaction to vaccines
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

Inform your physician or pharmacist if you anticipate being in close contact with newborn infants, somebody who may be pregnant and has never had the chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox or somebody who has a lowered immune system. Your physician or pharmacist can tell you what to avoid after being vaccinated.

The Possible Side Effects of ZOSTAVAX^®

The most common side effects that patients in the clinical experiments reported after getting the vaccine are:

Injection site reactions: redness, pain, itching, swelling, hard lump, warmth or bruising where the shot was given
Headache

If you experience any difficulty breathing or swallowing, this may be a serious allergic reaction. You should call your doctor right away if you experience an allergic reaction.

Additional side effects have been reported with ZOSTAVAX^®:

Chickenpox
Fever
Hives at the site of injection
Joint pain
Muscle pain
Nausea
Rash
Rash at the site of injection
Shingles
Swollen glands near the site of injection (lasting a few days up to a few weeks)

Is ZOSTAVAX^® Administered with other Vaccines?

Discuss with your physician or pharmacist if you plan to get ZOSTAVAX^® at the same time as the flu vaccine. Discuss with your physician or pharmacist if you plan to get ZOSTAVAX^® at the same time as PNEUMOVAX^® 23 asit may be better to get these vaccines no less than4 weeks apart.