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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Hepatitis (hep-ah-TY-tiss) A is a serious disease of the liver that can cause death. It is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), and is spread most often through infected food or water. Hepatitis A may also be spread by close person-to-person contact with infected persons (such as between persons living in the same household). Although some infected persons do not appear to be sick, they are still able to spread the virus to others.
Hepatitis A is less common in the U.S. and other areas of the world that have a higher level of sanitation and good water and sewage (waste) systems. However, it is a significant health problem in parts of the world that do not have such systems. If you are traveling to certain countries or remote (out-of-the-way) areas, hepatitis A vaccine will help protect you from hepatitis A disease.
It is recommended that persons 2 years of age and older be vaccinated with hepatitis A vaccine when traveling to the following parts of the world:
Hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for all persons 2 years of age and older who live in areas that have frequent outbreaks of hepatitis A disease or who may be at increased risk of infection from hepatitis A virus. These persons include:
Hepatitis A vaccine is to be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For hepatitis A vaccine, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to hepatitis A vaccine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy--Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals. However, since the vaccine does not contain contagious particles, it is not expected to cause problems during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding--This vaccine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children--Hepatitis A vaccine is not recommended for infants and children younger than 2 years of age. For children 2 years of age and older, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of hepatitis A vaccine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of hepatitis A vaccine. Make sure you tell your
doctor if you have any other medical problems. Dosing--The dose of hepatitis A vaccine will be different
for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders
.
The following information includes only the average doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Along with its needed effects, a vaccine may
cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,
if they do occur they may need medical attention.
It is
very important that you tell your doctor about any side effects that occur
after a dose of hepatitis A vaccine
, even though the side effect may
have gone away without treatment. Some types of side effects may mean that
you should not receive any more doses of hepatitis A vaccine. Get emergency help immediately
if any of the
following side effects occur: Rare Difficulty in breathing or swallowing; hives; itching, especially of feet or hands; reddening of skin, especially around ears; swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose; unusual
tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe) Other side effects may occur
that usually do not need medical attention. However, check with your doctor
if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: More common Soreness at place of injection Less common Fever of 37.7 °C (100 °F) or higher; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; lack of appetite; nausea; tenderness or warmth at injection site Rare Aches or pain in joints or muscles; diarrhea or stomach cramps or pain; itching; swelling of glands in armpits or neck; vomiting; welts Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If
you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 02/06/97
Proper Use of This Vaccine
Side Effects of This Vaccine
Interim revision: 07/31/98
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