Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine

What is Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine?

MENINGOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE DIPHTHERIA TOXOID CONJUGATE VACCINE (Menactra®) helps to reduce the risk of meningitis. The bacteria that cause meningitis spread from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. People with this infection may have aches, cold-like symptoms, and fever that may develop into more serious illness. You cannot get an infection from the vaccine.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorder such as hemophilia

• fever or infection

• an immune deficiency (natural or due to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, HIV infection, or steroid therapy)

• an unusual or allergic reaction to latex or rubber

• an unusual reaction to diphtheria toxoid, Meningococcal Vaccine, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Meningococcal vaccine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a clinic, prescriber's office, or other health care setting. The vaccine is for children at least 2 years old and for adults up to 55 years old.

The use of this vaccine must be officially recorded. Federal law requires that the manufacturer's name and lot number; name, address, and phone number of the person giving the vaccine; and the date of administration be recorded in the patient's permanent medical record.

Your health care professional will give you some written information about the vaccine. You should read and understand all of the information.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine?

• chemotherapy (drugs to treat cancer) or radiation therapy

• diphtheria and tetanus toxoid adsorbed (Td) vaccine or other vaccines

• medicines that suppress your immune function (e.g., corticosteroids, etanercept, anakinra, infliximab, adalimumab)

• medicines that keep your blood from clotting (anticoagulants or blood thinners, like warfarin)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works.

What should I watch for while taking Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine?

Report any side effects to your prescriber or health care professional. Get emergency medical care if any serious side effects occur.

If you are a woman and discover you were pregnant at the time you got the vaccine, contact Aventis Pasteur Inc. at 1—800—822—2463 or report your pregnancy to a healthcare professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine?

Most people who get the Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate vaccine have no serious problems from it.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing

• severe rash, itching (hives)

• swelling of eyes or face

• fever over 102 degrees F

• weakness or weird sensations in the arms or legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache

• low-grade fever (102 degrees F or less)

• muscle aches and pains

• pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling at the injection site

• tiredness

• nausea or vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

This vaccine will be administered in the clinic or office of a health care professional. You will not be given vaccine doses to store at home.