Rotavirus oral vaccine live

Generic Name: rotavirus oral vaccine live (ROE-ta-VI-russ)
Brand Name: RotaTeq

Rotavirus oral vaccine live is used for:

Preventing certain types of rotavirus infection in infants and children.

Rotavirus oral vaccine live is a live viral vaccine for rotavirus. Rotavirus oral vaccine live works by helping the immune system to protect against rotavirus.

Do NOT use rotavirus oral vaccine live if:

• the patient is allergic to any ingredient in rotavirus oral vaccine live
• the patient has severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID)
• the patient has a history of a severe type of blockage or twisting of the intestine (intussusception)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using rotavirus oral vaccine live:

Some medical conditions may interact with rotavirus oral vaccine live. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if the patient is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or is breast-feeding
• if the patient is taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if the patient has allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if the patient has any type of cancer, an infection, fever, or other current illness (eg, diarrhea, vomiting)
• if the patient or someone regularly in close contact with the patient has a history of a weakened immune system (eg, HIV infection, AIDS) or blood problems
• if the patient or someone regularly in close contact with the patient receives radiation treatment or takes medicine that may weaken the immune system, including an immunosuppressant (eg, cyclosporine) or a corticosteroid (eg, prednisone)
• if the patient has a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage), or stomach or bowel surgery
• if the patient has not been gaining weight or growing as expected
• if the patient has received a blood transfusion or blood product (eg, immune globulin) within the past 42 days

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with rotavirus oral vaccine live. Tell your health care provider if the patient is taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), or medicines to treat cancer because they may decrease rotavirus oral vaccine live's effectiveness

Ask your health care provider if rotavirus oral vaccine live may interact with other medicines that the patient takes. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use rotavirus oral vaccine live:

Use rotavirus oral vaccine live as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with rotavirus oral vaccine live. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take rotavirus oral vaccine live by mouth with or without food.
• Do not mix this vaccine with any other vaccines or solutions. Do not dilute rotavirus oral vaccine live.
• Rotavirus oral vaccine live requires 3 doses. If you miss a dose of rotavirus oral vaccine live, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use rotavirus oral vaccine live.

Important safety information:

• Rotavirus oral vaccine live may not protect everyone who receives it. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Rotavirus oral vaccine live should be used with caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 weeks old or older than 32 weeks old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Rotavirus oral vaccine live is not approved for use in patients of childbearing age. It is not known if rotavirus oral vaccine live is found in breast milk.

Possible side effects of rotavirus oral vaccine live:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild fever, diarrhea, or vomiting; runny nose; sore throat.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blood in the stool; change in bowel movements; ear pain; high fever; red eyes or mouth; severe or persistent stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting; swelling of the hands or feet; swollen glands; wheezing or coughing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Rotavirus oral vaccine live is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using rotavirus oral vaccine live at home, store rotavirus oral vaccine live as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Protect from light. Keep rotavirus oral vaccine live out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about rotavirus oral vaccine live, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Rotavirus oral vaccine live is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take rotavirus oral vaccine live or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about rotavirus oral vaccine live. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to rotavirus oral vaccine live. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using rotavirus oral vaccine live.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.