Havrix
Generic name:hepatitis A adult vaccine [ HEP-a-TYE-tis ]
Brand names: Havrix, Vaqta
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is Havrix?
Havrix is a hepatitis A vaccine. Hepatitis is a serious disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.
Hepatitis A is spread through contact with the stool (bowel movements) of a person infected with the hepatitis A virus. This usually occurs by eating food or drinking water that has become contaminated as a result of handling by an infected person.
Havrix vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults.
Havrix works by exposing you to a small amount of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Like any vaccine, Havrix may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
You should not receive Havrix if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis A, or if you are allergic to neomycin.
Vaccination with Havrix vaccine is recommended for all adults who travel in certain areas of the world where hepatitis A is a common disease.
Other risk factors for hepatitis include: being a homosexual male; having chronic liver disease; using intravenous (IV) drugs; receiving treatment for hemophilia or other bleeding disorders; working in a research laboratory or around animals (especially monkeys) where you may be exposed to the hepatitis A virus; or being in an area where there has been an outbreak of hepatitis A.
Becoming infected with hepatitis A is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, Havrix can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Before taking this medicine
Havrix vaccine will not protect against infection with hepatitis B, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect against hepatitis A if you are already infected with the virus, even without showing symptoms.
You should not receive Havrix if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis A, or if you are allergic to neomycin.
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor if you have:
an allergy to latex rubber; or
a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine).
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving Havrix.
Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother beco...
