Rabies vaccine (Intramuscular)

Rabies vaccine is a medicine that helps prevent infection from the rabies virus. It works by prompting your body to make its own defense (antibodies) against the rabies virus.

Rabies vaccine is used in two situations. It is given to people who have been exposed (for example, through a bite, scratch, or lick) to an animal that is known or suspected to have rabies. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies vaccine can also be given in advance to people who are at high risk of getting infected with the rabies virus. This includes veterinarians, animal handlers, travelers who will spend more than 1 month in areas with a high rate of rabies, and people who live, work, or vacation in wild areas where they might encounter wild animals. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Rabies infection is a serious and often deadly disease. In the U.S., most cases of rabies passed to humans, pets, and other domestic animals come from wild animals, especially raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. In Canada, the animals most commonly infected with rabies include foxes, skunks, bats, dogs, and cats. Horses, pigs, and cattle can also get rabies. In many other parts of the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia, dogs are responsible for most rabies cases in humans.

If you are receiving (or will receive) treatment for a possible rabies infection while traveling outside the U.S. or Canada, contact your doctor as soon as you return to the U.S. or Canada, as you may need additional treatment.

This vaccine should only be given by or under the supervision of your doctor or another healthcare professional.

It is very important for your doctor to check you or your child's progress at regular visits to ensure that this vaccine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

This medicine is made from donated human blood. There is a very small risk of passing on viral diseases. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep this risk low. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you have any concerns.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a vaccine, you and your doctor should think about the risks of the vaccine compared to the benefits it will provide. 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 types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the use of the rabies vaccine.

Geriatric

There is no information available about how age affects the effects of the rabies vaccine in older patients.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during 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 there might be an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose, or take other precautions. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The interactions listed below are based on their potential importance and may not include everything.

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

• Chloroquine
• Elivaldogene Autotemcel
• Teplizumab-mzwv
• Ublituximab-xiiy

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or particular types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

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

• Severe illness with fever—The symptoms of this condition may be mistaken for possible side effects of the vaccine.

• Immune system problems—May reduce the effective results of the vaccine.

Along with its intended effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you may need medical attention.

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

Incidence not known

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Confusion
• Cough
• Difficulty moving
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fast heartbeat
• Feeling discomfort
• Irritability
• Lack or loss of strength
• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
• Paralysis or severe weakness in the legs
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rash
• Seizures
• Skin rash, hives, or redness
• Stiffness in arms, legs, or neck
• Swelling of the joints
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Tightness in the chest
• Unusual tiredness
• Vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to suggest ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Chills
• Dizziness
• Fever
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Muscle or joint aches
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Incidence not known

• Bruising at the injection site
• Diarrhea

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.

• Imovax Rabies
• Rabavert

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Vaccine

You will receive this vaccine while you are in a hospital or clinic. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this vaccine. The vaccine is injected into the upper arm muscle (deltoid). Very young or small children may have the vaccine injected into the upper leg (thigh) muscle.

If you are a veterinarian, work with animals, or will be going to a country where rabies is common, you are at risk for exposure to the rabies virus. If you are getting the vaccine because you are at risk of being exposed to rabies, you will receive 3 doses on 3 different days within a 1-month period.

If you have already received the vaccine in the past and have been exposed to the rabies virus, you will need to get 2 doses on 2 different days within a 1-month period.

If you have not yet received the vaccine and were exposed to the rabies virus, you will need a total of 5 doses on 5 different days within a 1-month period. You will also receive a shot of rabies immune globulin.

In order for the rabies vaccine to work properly, it is very important that you do not miss any doses. Keep your appointments with your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.