M-M-R II Side Effects

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

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 28, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about M-M-R II.

Applies to measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine: powder for solution, powder for suspension Side Effects associated with measles virus vaccine / mumps virus vaccine / rubella virus vaccine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name M-M-R II.

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

Precautions

Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine.

Do not become pregnant for 1 month after receiving this vaccine without first checking with your doctor. There is a chance that this vaccine may cause problems during pregnancy. If you think you have become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving the vaccine.

This vaccine will lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Fainting may occur after you receive this vaccine. You may also have vision changes, numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, or feet, or jerky movements of the arms and legs. Your doctor may want you to be observed after you get the injection to prevent and manage fainting.

The tip caps of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before receiving this medicine.

This vaccine may not protect everyone who receives it. This vaccine will not treat symptoms of measles, mumps, and rubella infection if you already have the disease.

Tell your doctor that you have received this vaccine:

• If you are to receive a tuberculin skin test within 4 to 6 weeks after receiving this vaccine. The results of the test may be affected by this vaccine.
• If you are to receive any other live virus vaccines within 1 month after receiving this vaccine.
• If you are to receive blood transfusions or other blood products within 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine.
• If you are to receive gamma globulin or other globulins within 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine.

Serious side effects of M-M-R II

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 side effects

• 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 side effects

• 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 M-M-R II

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 side effects

• 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 side effects

• 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 adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

M-M-R II side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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