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Menactra Side Effects

Generic name: meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 14, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Menactra.

Applies to meningococcal conjugate vaccine: intramuscular solution. Other dosage forms:

Serious side effects of Menactra

Along with its needed effects, meningococcal conjugate vaccine (the active ingredient contained in Menactra) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking meningococcal conjugate vaccine:

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Menactra

Some side effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine 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:

More common

Rare

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to meningococcal conjugate vaccine: intramuscular powder for injection, intramuscular solution.

General

The most common adverse events were injection site pain, irritability, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue.[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (48.1%), injection site redness (16%), injection site induration (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Injection site swelling, injection site hematoma

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site pruritus

Postmarketing reports: Injection site reaction, injection site cellulitis, extensive swelling of the injected limb (frequently associated with erythema, sometimes involving the adjacent joint or swelling of the entire injected limb)[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (41.8%), drowsiness (11.2%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, hypoesthesia

Postmarketing reports: Vasovagal syncope, paresthesia, Guillain-Barre syndrome, vertigo, tonic convulsion, febrile convulsion, vertigo, vestibular disorder, syncope, facial paresis, balance disorder[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (14%), nausea

Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (32.3%), malaise (22.3%), fever

Common (1% to 10%): Chills, crying

Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, impaired hearing, ear pain, fall, head injury, body temperature increased[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus

Postmarketing reports: Bullous conditions[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (16%), myalgia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain in extremity

Postmarketing reports: Bone pain[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Irritability (12.2%)

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Appetite lost

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, eating disorder[Ref]

Respiratory

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasopharyngitis

Postmarketing reports: Oropharyngeal pain[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity (such as rash, urticaria, pruritus, dyspnea, angioedema) including anaphylaxis[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Alanine aminotransferase increased[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Eyelid ptosis[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Menactra (meningococcal conjugate vaccine). sanofi pasteur. 2005.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.