Menactra (Intramuscular)

Meningococcal vaccine is a type of medicine that helps protect against infections caused by certain groups (A, B, C, W, and Y) of meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitides). The vaccine helps your body make its own defense (antibodies) against the disease.

Meningococcal infection can lead to serious illnesses, such as meningococcal meningitis, which affects the brain, and meningococcemia, which affects the blood. These illnesses are more common in young children and in individuals with certain diseases or conditions that increase their risk of getting a meningococcal infection or developing serious problems from it.

Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is advised for people who are at higher risk of contracting the disease because:

• They have certain diseases or conditions that make them more prone to a meningococcal infection or more likely to face serious complications from it.
• They are living in, working in, or visiting an area where there is a high risk of contracting meningococcal disease.

This vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 10 to 25 years.

This vaccine should only be given by your doctor or under your doctor's supervision.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects that happen after you get this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical help. Contact your doctor right away if you experience a rash, itching, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after getting the vaccine.

Fainting may happen after you receive this vaccine. Your doctor might want you to be watched after you get the injection to prevent and manage fainting.

This vaccine may not protect everyone who gets it. It will not treat symptoms of meningococcal infection if you already have the disease.

In deciding to use a vaccine, you need to consider the risks of the vaccine against the benefits it may provide. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this vaccine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies on how age affects the effects of Penbraya™ vaccine in children younger than 10 years. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

There have not been appropriate studies on how age affects the effects of Penbraya™ vaccine in older patients. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Breast Feeding

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

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to the infant when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When receiving this vaccine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

It is usually not recommended to receive this vaccine with any of the following medicines, but it may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Elivaldogene Autotemcel
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Teplizumab-mzwv
• Ublituximab-xiiy

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around the time of eating food or specific types of food, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this vaccine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Immune system problems—This condition may reduce the benefits of the vaccine.

• Nerve problem (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), history of—Use with caution. May worsen this condition.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you experience any of the following side effects:

Incidence not known

• Chest tightness
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inability to move arms and legs
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your healthcare professional may also have suggestions on how to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your healthcare professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• chills
• diarrhea
• fever
• headache
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Bexsero
• Menactra
• MenQuadfi
• Menveo
• Trumenba

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension
• Kit
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Vaccine

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

This vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 6 months apart.