{"id":27050,"date":"2022-10-18T12:03:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T12:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/?p=27050"},"modified":"2022-10-19T07:23:55","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T07:23:55","slug":"varilrix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/medicines\/varilrix\/","title":{"rendered":"Varilrix &#8211; Varicella vaccine uses, dose and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>powder and liquid for\u00a0injection, solution in a pre-filled\u00a0syringe<br>Varicella vaccine, live<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Varilrix is \u200b\u200band what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilrix is \u200b\u200ba vaccine used in people from 12 months of age to protect them against chickenpox (varicella).\u00a0In special circumstances, Varilrix can be given to infants from the age of 9 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a person is vaccinated within 3 days of being in contact with someone who has chickenpox, the vaccination may help prevent chickenpox or make the disease milder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Varilrix works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a person is vaccinated with Varilrix, the immune system (the body&#8217;s natural defense system) produces&nbsp;antibodies&nbsp;that protect the person from being infected with the chicken pox virus (varicella).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilux contains weakened\u00a0viruses\u00a0and it is very unlikely that the vaccine would cause chickenpox in healthy people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with all vaccines, Varilrix may not provide complete protection for everyone vaccinated.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What you need to know before you\/your child receives Varilrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do not use Varilrix:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you\/your child have any disease (e.g. a blood disease, cancer,\u00a0infection\u00a0with the human immunodeficiency virus (\u00a0HIV\u00a0) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (\u00a0AIDS\u00a0) or are taking any medicine (even high\u00a0doses of\u00a0corticosteroids\u00a0)\u00a0that weakens the immune system. If you or your child receives the vaccine depends on the level of your immune system, see \u201cWarnings and precautions\u201d in section 2.<\/li><li>if you\/your child are allergic to any ingredient in this vaccine (listed in section 6).\u00a0Signs of an\u00a0allergic reaction\u00a0may include skin itching, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face or tongue.<\/li><li>if you\/your child is allergic to\u00a0neomycin\u00a0(an\u00a0antibiotic\u00a0).\u00a0However, known\u00a0contact dermatitis\u00a0(skin rash on direct contact with an\u00a0allergen, e.g.\u00a0neomycin\u00a0) is not an obstacle to vaccination.<\/li><li>if you\/your child previously had an\u00a0allergic reaction\u00a0to a chickenpox vaccine.<\/li><li>if you are pregnant.\u00a0In addition, pregnancy must be avoided for 1 month after vaccination.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warnings and precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before you\/your child receives Varilrix:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you\/your child has a serious\u00a0infection\u00a0with a high fever.\u00a0It may be necessary to postpone the vaccination until you\/your child is healthy again.\u00a0A milder\u00a0infection\u00a0such as\u00a0a cold should not require postponing the vaccination but talk to your doctor first.<\/li><li>if you\/your child has a weakened immune system due to diseases (e.g.\u00a0HIV\u00a0infection\u00a0)\u00a0and\/or treatments.\u00a0You\/your child should be closely monitored as the response to the vaccine may not be sufficient to ensure protection against the disease (see \u201cDo not use Varilrix\u201d in section 2).<\/li><li>if you\/your child has a bleeding disorder or bruises easily.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Fainting may occur (mainly in young people) after, or even before, any needle injection.&nbsp;Therefore, tell the doctor or nurse if you\/your child has fainted during&nbsp;an injection&nbsp;before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like other vaccines, Varilrix may not give you or your child complete protection against chickenpox.&nbsp;However, people who have been vaccinated and get chickenpox usually get a much milder illness than people who have not been vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In rare cases, the weakened\u00a0virus\u00a0it can be transferred from a vaccinated person to other people.\u00a0This has mainly happened when the vaccinated person has some rashes or blisters.\u00a0Healthy people who are infected in this way usually get a mild rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you or your child has been vaccinated, for 6 weeks after the vaccination, avoid close contact with the following people as much as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>people with a weakened immune system<\/li><li>pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated against chickenpox<\/li><li>newborn babies of mothers who have not had chickenpox or who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other medicines and Varilrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you\/your child are taking, have recently taken, or maybe taking other medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell the doctor if you or your child should be tested for\u00a0tuberculosis.\u00a0If such a test is performed within 6 weeks of vaccination with Varilrix, the result may be unreliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccination must be postponed for at least 3 months if you or your child has received a&nbsp;blood transfusion&nbsp;or human&nbsp;antibodies&nbsp;(immunoglobulins).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After vaccination with Varilrix, the intake of salicylic acid (a substance found in some antipyretic and pain-relieving medicines) should be avoided for 6 weeks, as it can cause a serious illness called Rey&#8217;s syndrome, which can affect any organ in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilux can be given at the same time as other vaccines.\u00a0Different injection sites are used for each vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilux should not be given to pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before receiving this vaccine.\u00a0It is also important that you do not become pregnant within a month of receiving the vaccine.\u00a0During this time, you must use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inform the doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to start breastfeeding.\u00a0The doctor decides whether you can be vaccinated with Varilrix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving ability and use of machinery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilrix has no or negligible effect on the ability to drive and use machines.&nbsp;Some of the&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;mentioned in section 4 Possible&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;may, however, temporarily affect the ability to drive vehicles or use machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention.\u00a0One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and\/or\u00a0side effects.\u00a0A description of these effects and\u00a0side effects\u00a0can be found in other sections.\u00a0Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.\u00a0Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Varilrix contains sorbitol and phenylalanine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains 6 mg of sorbitol per\u00a0dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains 331 micrograms of phenylalanine per\u00a0dose.\u00a0Phenylalanine can be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare, inherited disease that leads to the accumulation of high levels of phenylalanine in the body.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Varilrix is \u200b\u200bused<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilrix is \u200b\u200binjected under the skin or into a muscle, either in the upper arm or in the outer thigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children from the age of 12 months should receive 2&nbsp;doses&nbsp;of Varilrix at least 6 weeks apart.&nbsp;The time between the first and second&nbsp;dose&nbsp;<strong>must not<\/strong>&nbsp;be&nbsp;shorter than 4 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In special circumstances, the first&nbsp;dose&nbsp;of Varilrix can be given to infants between 9 and 11 months of age.&nbsp;In that case, two&nbsp;doses&nbsp;are needed but must be given at least 3 months apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People who are at risk of becoming seriously ill from chicken pox, e.g.&nbsp;people who are being treated for cancer, may receive more&nbsp;doses of&nbsp;you.&nbsp;The time between the first and second&nbsp;dose&nbsp;<strong>must not<\/strong>&nbsp;be&nbsp;shorter than 4 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The doctor decides when vaccination should take place and with how many\u00a0doses, based on official recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you or your child has received too much Varilrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Overdose is unlikely because the vaccine is supplied in\u00a0a vial\u00a0containing one\u00a0dose, and is given by a doctor or nurse.\u00a0Only a few cases of accidental\u00a0injection\u00a0have been reported, and in only a few of these were abnormal drowsiness and convulsions observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you think you or your child have missed a dose of Varilrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact a doctor, who will decide if a&nbsp;dose&nbsp;is needed and when it should be given.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all medicines, this medicine can cause\u00a0side effects, although not everybody gets them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;can be caused by this vaccine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)<ul><li>pain and&nbsp;redness&nbsp;at the injection site.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)<ul><li>skin rash (rash and\/or blisters)<\/li><li>injection site swelling*<\/li><li>fever, 38 \u00b0C and higher (measured in the rectum)*.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)<ul><li>upper respiratory tract infection<\/li><li>sore throat and difficulty swallowing (\u00a0pharyngitis\u00a0)<\/li><li>swollen\u00a0lymph nodes<\/li><li>irritability<\/li><li>headache<\/li><li>drowsiness<\/li><li>cough<\/li><li>itchy, runny, or stuffy nose, sneezing (\u00a0rhinitis\u00a0)<\/li><li>nausea<\/li><li>vomiting<\/li><li>chickenpox-like rash<\/li><li>itching<\/li><li>joint pain<\/li><li>muscle pain<\/li><li>fever above 39.5 \u00b0C (measured in the rectum)<\/li><li>fatigue<\/li><li>general malaise.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)<ul><li>eye inflammation (\u00a0conjunctivitis\u00a0)<\/li><li>stomach pain<\/li><li>diarrhea<\/li><li>itchy raised skin rash (\u00a0hives\u00a0).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Swelling at the injection site and fever is a very common\u00a0side effects\u00a0in adolescents and adults.\u00a0Swelling may also be very common in children under 13 years of age after the second\u00a0dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;have been reported in a few cases with routine use of Varilrix:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>shingles\u00a0(\u00a0herpes\u00a0zoster)<\/li><li>small dots in the skin due to bleeding, or easier bruising, due to a lower number of\u00a0platelets\u00a0(a type of\u00a0blood cell\u00a0)<\/li><li>allergic reaction.\u00a0Skin rash that may itch or blister, swelling of the eyes and face, difficulty breathing or swallowing, sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.\u00a0Such reactions may occur before you have left the doctor&#8217;s office.\u00a0If you or your child develop any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.<\/li><li>infection\u00a0or\u00a0inflammation\u00a0of the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves, leading to temporary difficulty walking (unsteadiness) and\/or temporary difficulty coordinating body movements,\u00a0stroke\u00a0(clot in the brain leading to a stoppage of blood flow)<\/li><li>convulsions<\/li><li>inflammation, narrowing, or blockage of blood vessels.\u00a0This can lead to unusual bleeding or bruising of the skin (Henoch-Sch\u00f6nlein purpura), a fever lasting more than 5 days, and a simultaneous rash on the trunk, sometimes with scaly skin on the hands and fingers and reddened eyes, lips, throat, and tongue (Kawasaki disease)<\/li><li>erythema multiforme (symptoms are red, often itchy patches, similar to the rash of measles, which start on the arms and legs and sometimes on the face and the rest of the body).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to store Varilrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use before the expiry date stated on the carton.&nbsp;The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Store and transport cold (2 \u00b0C\u20138 \u00b0C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Store in the original packaging.&nbsp;Light sensitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After\u00a0preparation, the vaccine should be administered as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this is not possible, it has been shown that reconstituted vaccine can be stored for up to 90 minutes at room temperature (25 \u00b0C) or up to 8 hours in a refrigerator (2 \u00b0C\u20138 \u00b0C).&nbsp;If the vaccine has not been used within these time frames and conditions, it should be discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vaccines should not be thrown down the drain or among the household waste.\u00a0Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of vaccines that are no longer used.\u00a0These measures will help to protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents of the packaging and other information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents declaration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The active ingredient in Varilrix has weakened varicella virus (strain Oka) produced in MRC-5 (\u00a0human\u00a0diploid cell culture). One\u00a0dose\u00a0of Varilrix (0.5 ml) contains weakened varicella virus (strain Oka) at least 10\u00a0<sup>3.3<\/sup>\u00a0PFU (\u00a0plaque\u00a0forming units)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Other ingredients:<br>Powder:\u00a0amino acids\u00a0(contains phenylalanine), anhydrous\u00a0lactose, sorbitol (E420), mannitol (E421)<br>Diluent: water for injections.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appearance and package sizes of the medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilrix is \u200b\u200ba powder and liquid for\u00a0injection, solution (powder in a\u00a0vial\u00a0for 1 dose and\u00a0diluent\u00a0in a pre-filled\u00a0syringe\u00a0(0.5 ml)) with or without needles in the following pack sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>with a separate needle: pack sizes of 1 or 10 doses.<\/li><li>with 2 separate needles: pack sizes 1 or 10 doses.<\/li><li>without a needle: pack sizes of 1 or 10 doses.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Varilrix is \u200b\u200ba slightly cream-colored to yellowish or pink powder and the diluent (water for&nbsp;injections&nbsp;) is clear and colorless and is used to&nbsp;prepare&nbsp;the vaccine.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing Authorisation Holder:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GlaxoSmithKline AB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Box 516<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>169 29 Solna<br>Tel: 08-638 93 00<br>E-mail: info.produkt@gsk.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rue de l&#8217;Institut 89<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>B-1330 Rixen species<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Belgium<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Varilrix is \u200b\u200ba vaccine used in people from 12 months of age to protect them against chicken pox (varicella).\u00a0In special circumstances, Varilrix can be given to infants from the age of 9 months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2200,22502],"tags":[27062,27071,27058,27059,27067,27070,27057,27068,27060,27069],"class_list":["post-27050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medicines","category-v","tag-benefits-of-varicella-vaccine","tag-benefits-of-varilrix","tag-varicella-vaccine","tag-varicella-vaccine-side-effects","tag-varilrix","tag-varilrix-side-effects","tag-what-is-varicella-vaccine","tag-what-is-varilrix","tag-what-varicella-vaccine-is-used-for","tag-what-varilrix-is-used-for"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27050"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27252,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27050\/revisions\/27252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}