What is Ixiaro?

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease caused by a virus. It is the leading cause of viral encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in Asia. Encephalitis is an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. This infection often causes only mild symptoms, but prolonged swelling of the brain can cause permanent brain damage or death.
Japanese encephalitis virus is carried and spread by mosquitos.
The Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and adolescents who are at least 17 years old.
This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose 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.
This vaccine is recommended for people who live in or travel to areas where Japanese encephalitis is known to exist, or where an epidemic has recently occurred.
You should receive the vaccine and booster dose at least 1 week prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.
Not everyone who travels to Asia needs to receive a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Follow your doctor instructions or the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to Japanese encephalitis virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.
Like any vaccine, the Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What is the most important information I should know about Ixiaro?

The Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine is given in a series of 2 shots. The shots are usually 28 days apart. Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor’s instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.
Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine is for use in adults and adolescents who are at least 17 years old.
This vaccine is recommended for people who live in or travel to areas where Japanese encephalitis is known to exist, or where an epidemic has recently occurred.
You should receive the vaccine and booster dose at least 1 week prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.
This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to Japanese encephalitis virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.
Becoming infected with Japanese encephalitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ixiaro?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you are allergic to any foods or drugs, or if you have:

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
a weak immune system caused by disease such as HIV or AIDS, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or low fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a high fever (more than 100 degrees) or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
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 becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus.
It is not known whether Japanese encephalitis vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ixiaro Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Ixiaro?

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.
Becoming infected with Japanese encephalitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; dizziness, weakness, fast heart rate; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side may include:

headache, tired feeling
muscle pain, back pain
low fever, chills, flu symptoms
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough
mild itching or skin rash
nausea, diarrhea; or
pain, redness, tenderness, or a hard lump where the shot was given

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ixiaro Interactions

What other drugs affect Ixiaro?

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.
Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine
medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or
medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection, such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you have received. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Ixiaro?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Ixiaro Dosage

How should I take Ixiaro?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle of your upper arm. You will receive this injection in a doctor’s office or other clinic setting.
The Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine is given in a series of 2 shots. The shots are usually 28 days apart. Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor’s instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.
In addition to receiving the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could infect you with the Japanese encephalitis virus.

What happens if I overdose on Ixiaro?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What happens if I miss a dose of Ixiaro?

Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.
Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Ixiaro