Rabavert

If you are receiving the rabies vaccine before being exposed to rabies, 3 doses are needed. The usual dose of this vaccine is 1 mL given as an intramuscular (into the muscle) injection into the outer upper arm (or thigh in children less than 1 year of age). The first dose is given on the initial visit, the second dose is given 7 days later and the third dose is given 3 weeks after the first dose.

It is very important to receive these vaccinations on schedule, as cases of rabies have been report when this schedule was not followed.

If you are receiving this vaccine because you have been exposed to rabies, a series of 5 doses will be given. The first dose should be given as an intramuscular injection as soon as possible after exposure. The second dose is given 3 days later, the third dose is given 7 days after the first; the fourth dose is given 14 days after the first dose and the final dose is given 28 days after the first dose.

A dose of rabies immune globulin will also be given as soon as possible after exposure to the rabies virus.

If you are receiving this vaccine because you have been exposed to rabies, and you were previously vaccinated, a series of 2 doses will be given. The first dose should be given as an intramuscular injection as soon as possible after exposure. The second dose is given 3 days later.

This vaccine is given by a health care professional in a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.

It is important Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine) be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive rabies vaccine, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine) is stored in the refrigerator and should not be allowed to freeze.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause stomach ache; it may cause pain at the injection site; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause redness and swelling at the injection site. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

After reconstitution, each 1 mL dose of suspension contains approximately 2.5 international units of rabies antigen. Nonmedicinal ingredients: human Albumin, neomycin, polygeline, chlortetracycline, amphotericin B, ovalbumin, and sterile water for injection (as diluent).

If you are receiving this vaccine for pre-exposure prevention, do not take Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine) if you are allergic to the rabies vaccine or any other ingredients of the vaccine.

Because infection with the rabies virus is almost inevitably deadly if not treated with the vaccine, everyone who comes into contact with the rabies virus should be vaccinated.

There may be an interaction between rabies vaccine and any of the following:

• Acetaminophen
• chloroquine
• Fingolimod
• immunosuppressants (medications used to treat cancer or autoimmune disease, or prevent organ rejection)
  • Azathioprine
  • Belimumab
  • corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, fluticasone, Prednisone)
  • Cyclosporine
  • Hydroxyurea
  • Infliximab
  • medications to treat cancer (e.g., Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, Vincristine)
  • mycophenolate
  • Rituximab
  • Tacrolimus
• warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine).

Allergic reactions: As with any vaccine, allergic reactions are possible with the rabies vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain in the clinic or office for a period of time after receiving the vaccine, to ensure that you do not develop an allergic reaction.

Bleeding disorders: If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medications that make you more likely to bleed (i.e., Warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid [Asa]) tell the person giving you the injection. There is a risk of excessive bleeding where you get the injection if it is not done carefully.

Immune system: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not be as effective for people with a weakened immune system (e.g., people with AIDS or cancer, people taking antirejection medications after an organ transplant, people receiving chemotherapy, people taking any medication that suppresses the immune system). Your doctor may want to do blood tests to check how well your body has responded to the vaccine.

Vaccine protection: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not protect 100% of people who receive it and may not prevent infection in those people already infected with virus.

Pregnancy: If there is a significant risk of contact with rabies, women should consider receiving vaccination before pregnancy. Infection with the rabies virus is frequently fatal if vaccination is not started as soon as possible after contact with the virus. For this reason, the benefits of receiving the rabies vaccine while pregnant outweigh the risks to the mother and developing baby.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if rabies vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Rabavert (Rabies-vaccine), it may affect your baby. Because infection with the rabies virus is often fatal, vaccination should not be postponed if it is needed. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

This medication must be administered by a health professional. Because complete vaccination requires several doses of this product to be given at specific times, it is important to keep your scheduled appointments.