What is this medicine?
INFLUENZA VIRUS VACCINE (in floo EN zuh VAHY ruhs vak SEEN) helps to reduce the risk of getting influenza also known as the flu.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches and pains
- pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling at site where injected
- weak or tired
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
This vaccine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional.
A copy of Vaccine Information Statements will be given before each vaccination. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
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What may interact with this medicine?
- chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- medicines that lower your immune system like etanercept, anakinra, infliximab, and adalimumab
- medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
- phenytoin
- steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
- theophylline
- vaccines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Hypersensitivity to egg or egg proteins or any vaccine component. (See Sensitivity Reactions under Cautions.)
- Life-threatening reaction to previous dose of any influenza vaccine.
- Afluria®: Hypersensitivity to neomycin or polymyxin. (See Neomycin and/or Polymyxin B Allergy under Cautions.)
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Report any side effects that do not go away within 3 days to your doctor or health care professional. Call your health care provider if any unusual symptoms occur within 6 weeks of receiving this vaccine.
You may still catch the flu, but the illness is not usually as bad. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. The vaccine will not protect against colds or other illnesses that may cause fever. The vaccine is needed every year.
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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 like hemophilia
- fever or infection
- Guillain-Barre syndrome or other neurological problems
- immune system problems
- infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS
- low blood platelet counts
- multiple sclerosis
- an unusual or allergic reaction to influenza virus vaccine, eggs, chicken proteins, latex, gentamicin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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