Fluzone

Generic Name: influenza virus vaccine (SUBVIRION) (Intramuscular route)

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Afluria
• Fluarix
• Flulaval
• Fluvirin
• Fluzone
• Fluzone Pediatric

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Vaccine

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Uses For Fluzone

Influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection by the influenza viruses. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. It is also known as a “flu shot” .

There are many kinds of influenza viruses, but not all will cause problems in any given year. Therefore, before the influenza vaccine is produced each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. and Canadian Public Health Services decide which viruses will most likely cause influenza infections for that year. The antigens, which are substances that cause protective antibodies to be formed, for these viruses are included in the influenza vaccine. Usually, the U.S. and Canada use the same influenza vaccine; however, they are not required to do so .

It is necessary to receive an influenza vaccine injection each year, since influenza infections are usually caused by different kinds of viruses and the protection gained by the vaccine lasts less than a year .

Influenza is a virus infection of the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs. Influenza infection causes fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, and pains in your back, arms, and legs. In addition, adults and children weakened by other diseases or medical conditions, and persons 50 years of age and over, even if they are healthy, may get a much more serious illness that may have to be treated in a hospital. Each year thousands of people die as a result of an influenza infection .

The best way to help prevent influenza infections is to get an influenza vaccination each year, usually in early November. Immunization (getting a vaccine) against influenza is approved for infants 6 months of age and over, all children, and all adults .

Influenza virus vaccine may not protect all persons given the vaccine .

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional .

Before Using Fluzone

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Afluria®, Fluarix®, or Flulaval™ in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Fluvirin® in children below 4 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Fluzone® in children below 6 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of influenza virus vaccine in the elderly .

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to eggs, egg products, or chicken proteins, history of—Use with caution. This vaccine contains small amounts of chicken and egg proteins .

• Bleeding problems (e.g., hemophilia, thrombocytopenia)—Use with caution. May have an increased risk of bleeding at the injection site .

• Guillain-Barré syndrome, history of—May cause the symptoms of this condition to return .

• Immune system problems (e.g., cancer, HIV)—May not work as well in patients with a weak immune system .

• Nervous system disorder, active or
• Severe illness with fever—Influenza virus vaccine should not be given to patients with these conditions. Your doctor will decide when you are well enough to get your influenza virus vaccine .

Proper Use of influenza virus vaccine (subvirion)

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain influenza virus vaccine (subvirion). It may not be specific to Fluzone. Please read with care.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this vaccine. This vaccine is given as a shot into one of your muscles .

Some children may need a second dose of the vaccine .

Precautions While Using Fluzone

It is very important that your child return to your doctor’s office at the right time for the second dose. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine .

It is very important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to rubber. The prefilled syringe of some brands of this vaccine contains dry natural latex rubber, which may cause an allergic reaction if you have a latex allergy .

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you get the injection .

This vaccine will not treat flu symptoms if you already have the virus .

Fluzone Side Effects

In 1976, a number of people who received the “swine flu” influenza vaccine developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which is a disease that may cause paralysis. Most of these people were over 25 years of age. Although only 10 out of every one million people who received the vaccine actually developed GBS, this number was 6 times higher than would normally have been expected. Most of the people who got GBS recovered completely.

It is assumed that the “swine flu” virus included in the 1976 vaccine caused the problem, but this has not been proven. Since that time, the “swine flu” virus has not been used in influenza vaccines, and there has been no recurrence of GBS that was associated with influenza vaccinations.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Cough
• fever
• redness of eyes
• sore throat

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• headache
• loss of voice
• muscle aches
• shivering
• sneezing
• stuffy or runny nose
• swelling or puffiness of face
• tightness in chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• Difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• hives
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• noisy breathing
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, lips, or tongue
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• wheezing

• Absence of or decrease in body movement
• agitation
• back pain, sudden and severe
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, itching, lumps, numbness, scarring, soreness, stinging, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site
• blindness
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
• blood in urine or stools
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• blue-yellow color blindness
• blurred vision
• bruising, inflammation, rash, redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain at injection site
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, dry or itching eyes
• change in color vision
• change in walking and balance
• chest pain
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• cold, clammy skin
• coma
• confusion
• dark urine
• decreased vision
• diarrhea
• difficulty in moving
• difficulty seeing at night
• discharge, excessive tearing
• drowsiness
• dryness of throat
• eye pain
• fainting
• fast, weak pulse
• feeling hot
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth
• feeling unusually cold
• general body swelling
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hallucinations
• hoarseness
• inability to move arms and legs
• increased sensitivity of eyes to sunlight
• irritability
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lack or loss of strength
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pains, cramping, or stiffness
• muscle weakness, sudden and progressing
• nausea
• nerve pain
• nosebleeds
• pain, redness, soreness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on skin
• painful knees and ankles
• paleness of skin
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• raised, red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness in legs, arms, hands, or feet
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
• stabbing pain
• stiff neck
• stomach pain, soreness, or discomfort
• sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
• sweating
• swelling of face, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth or throat
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin
• tightness in throat
• trembling or shaking of hands or feet
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing or swallowing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• voice changes
• vomiting
• weakness of the muscles in your face
• welting
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

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

The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

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