Priorix Side Effects

Generic name: measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 11, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Priorix.

Applies to measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine: powder for solution, powder for suspension.

Serious side effects of Priorix

Along with its needed effects, measles virus vaccine/mumps virus vaccine/rubella virus vaccine 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 measles virus vaccine/mumps virus vaccine/rubella virus vaccine:

More common

Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
fever over 39 °C (102 °F)
itching, especially of the feet or hands
reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Difficulty in moving
joint pain
muscle pain or stiffness

Incidence not known

Back pain, sudden and severe
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blindness or vision changes
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, painful, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning of the face or mouth
change in walking and balance
chest tightness
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
cough
dizziness
drowsiness
fainting
fast heartbeat
fever
general feeling of illness
heavier menstrual periods
inability to move the arms and legs
irritability
large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
muscle weakness, sudden and progressing
nausea
pain in the stomach, groin, or scrotum
pain or burning with urination
painful knees and ankles
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
seizures
severe headache
skin rash
stiff neck or back
stomach pain
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
swelling of the scrotum
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands on the side of the face or neck
unusual bleeding or bruising
vomiting
weakness in the hands or feet

Other side effects of Priorix

Some side effects of measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus 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

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
loss of appetite
sleepiness

Less common

Runny nose
sore throat
vague feeling of bodily discomfort

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine: injectable powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection.

General

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions and fever.^[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Redness at the injection site, injection site pain, injection site swelling

Common (1% to 10%): Injection site bruising, burning and/or stinging at injection site

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

Postmarketing reports: Vesicles at injection site, wheal and flare at injection site^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fever equal to or greater than 38C (rectal) or 37.5C (axillary/oral)

Common (1% to 10%): Fever over 39.5C (rectal) or 39C (axillary/oral)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Otitis media, injury

Rare (less than 0.1%): Death from various and in some cases unknown causes

Postmarketing reports: Malaise, peripheral edema, papillitis, swelling, tenderness^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness

Rare (less than 0.1%): Febrile convulsions

Postmarketing reports: Encephalitis, cerebellitis, cerebellitis like symptoms (including transient gait disturbance and transient ataxia), Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, peripheral neuritis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, afebrile convulsions or seizures, encephalopathy, measles inclusion body encephalitis, paresthesia, polyneuritis, polyneuropathy, optic neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, syncope^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, bronchitis, cough, respiratory disorder, rhinitis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasopharyngitis, rhinorrhea, laryngitis, stridor, epistaxis, sinusitis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Pneumonia, pneumonitis

Postmarketing reports: Bronchial spasm, sore throat^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, skin exfoliation, nail disorder

Frequency not reported: Panniculitis

Postmarketing reports: Erythema multiforme, panniculitis, purpura, skin induration, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, pruritus^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal crying, insomnia

Postmarketing reports: Irritability^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Parotid gland enlargement, vomiting, gastrointestinal disorder, toothache, enteritis, gastroenteritis, stomatitis, stomatitis aphthous, abdominal pain

Rare (less than 0.1%): Nausea

Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphadenopathy, anemia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura

Frequency not reported: Leukocytosis^[Ref]

Immunologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Viral infection

Frequency not reported: Atypical measles

Postmarketing reports: Meningitis, measles-like syndrome, mumps-like syndrome (including orchitis, epididymitis, and parotitis)^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis

Postmarketing reports: Ocular palsies, retinitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia

Frequency not reported: Diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reactions

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions (including related phenomenon such as angioneurotic edema, facial edema, and peripheral edema), anaphylactoid reaction^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Vasculitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (less than 0.1%): Epididymitis, orchitis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia^[Ref]

The vaccine has rarely been associated with chronic joint symptoms. The incidence of arthritis and arthralgia is generally higher in adult women than in children (women, 12% to 26%; children, 0% to 3%), and symptoms tend to be more marked and of longer duration, persisting for months or years (rare). In adolescent girls, the incidence of reactions appears to be intermediate between those seen in children and in women. These reactions are generally well tolerated and rarely interfere with normal activities, even in women over 35 years old.^[Ref]