Avaxin

Uses

Avaxin is used for active immunization against disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Avaxin is approved for use in persons 12 months of age and older. Primary immunization should be administered at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to HAV.

Avaxin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Hepatitis A, Salmonella Typhi Infection

How Avaxin works

The administration of the hepatitis A vaccine leads to immune activation of lymphocytes, which proceed to engulf the hepatitis A antigen, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators that stimulate B and T cells to attack the viral antigen. Following this stimulation, the B cells and T cells then differentiate into memory cells, antibody-producing B cells, cytotoxic T cells, and helper T cells to provide immunity against infection with Hepatitis A.

Dosage

Avaxin dosage

Children and Adolescents: Primary immunization for children and adolescents (12 months through 18 years of age) consists of a single 0.5 mL dose and a 0.5 mL booster dose administered anytime between 6 and 12 months later. The preferred sites for intramuscular injections are the anterolateral aspect of the thigh in young children or thedeltoid muscle of the upper arm in older children.

Adults: Primary immunization for adults consists of a single 1 mL dose and a 1 mL booster dose administered anytime between 6 and 12 months later. In adults, the injection should be given in the deltoid region.

Preparation For Administration: Shake well before use. With thorough agitation, Avaxin is a homogeneous, turbid, white suspension. Do not administer if it appears otherwise. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. If either of these conditions exists, the vaccine should not be administered.

For the prefilled syringes, attach a sterile needle and administer intramuscularly.

For the vials, use a sterile needle and sterile syringe to withdraw the vaccine dose and administer intramuscularly. Changing needles between drawing vaccine from a vial and injecting it into a recipient is not necessary unless the needle has been damaged or contaminated. Use a separate sterile needle and syringe for each individual.Avaxin should be administered by intramuscular injection only. Avaxin should not be administered in the gluteal region; such injections may result in suboptimal response. Do not administer this product intravenously, intradermally, or subcutaneously.

Side Effects

Transient soreness, erythema, induration at inj site. Fever, malaise,

Toxicity

LD50 information for the hepatitis A vaccine is not readily available in the literature. The prescribing information for the inactivated Hepatitis A vaccine indicates that postmarketing reports of adverse effects following an overdose with the vaccine that were similar to those that are normally expected. This may include pain or redness at the injection site, headache, irritability, appetite loss, and other symptoms. Prescribing information also advises contacting the local poison control center in the case of an overdose.

Precaution

Alcohol or disinfectant used for cleaning the skin prior to inj should be allowed to evaporate completely before vaccination to prevent vaccine inactivation.

Interaction

Reduced response to vaccination when used concurrently with immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids or antineoplastics.

Food Interaction

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether Avaxin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Avaxin is administered to a nursing woman.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity. Vaccines prepared in egg cultures are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to egg. Severe immunodeficiency. Malignant disease being treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy and for at least 6 mth after stopping treatment. Patients with compromised immune system such as those on high-dose systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or HIV positive.

Special Warning

Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of Avaxin, doses of 360 EL.U. or 720 EL.U., have been evaluated in more than 22,000 subjects 1 year to 18 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of Avaxin have not been established in subjects younger than 12 months of age.

Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Avaxin did not include sufficient numbers of subjects 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in overall safety between these subjects and younger adult subjects.

Hepatic Impairment: Subjects with chronic liver disease had a lower antibody response to Avaxin than healthy subjects

Storage Condition

Store refrigerated between 2° to 8° C . Do not freeze. Discard if the vaccine has been frozen. Do not dilute to administer.

Innovators Monograph

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