Anthrax Vaccine, Adsorbed, Injection AN-thraks vak-SEEN ad-SORBD

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: anthrax vaccine, adsorbed, injection; AVA; BioThrax

What is this medicine used for?

This vaccine is given by injection (shots) to provide protection against infection by the anthrax bacteria. This vaccine is only given to certain people who are at-risk or who have been exposed to anthrax.

Adults at risk for anthrax infection include:

• workers who handle imported animal hides, wools, or bone meal
• healthcare workers, public safety workers, and veterinarians
• people in the military
• people who are exposed to anthrax

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to latex
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from taking immunosuppressant medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection or steroid medicines to treat arthritis
• anthrax infection in the past

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection or fever. Also tell your provider if you are receiving radiation therapy.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider. The vaccine needs to be given 5 times. You will receive it at your first visit, then 4 weeks later. The remaining 3 doses will be given at 6, 12, and 18 months. You are not protected until you receive all 5 shots. You may need a booster shot every year if your risk of exposure continues. Keep all appointments for vaccinations to be sure that you are protected.

What should I watch out for?

You may have soreness, irritation, or pain where the injection is given. The reaction may be worse with each shot. If pain continues for more than a couple of days or becomes severe, call your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing), pain in your chest, jaw, or arm.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Dizziness, increased heart rate, severe muscle pain, decreased urination.

Other: Fatigue; fever; headache; runny nose; sore throat; nausea; muscle aches; loss of appetite; warmth, redness, swelling, soreness, or itching at the place the shot was given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, A-HydroCort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone, prednisolone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• medicines used to treat cancer such as cisplatin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), hydroxyurea (Hydrea), vinblastine, and vincristine (Vincasar)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.