polyvalent

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Brand names: Pneumovax®, Pneumovax® 23, Pnu-Imune®, Prevnar™

Drug Forms:
• Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polyvalent injection (below)
• Pneumococcal Polyvalent-23 Vaccine Solution for injection
• Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine Suspension for injection
• Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine Suspension for injection
• Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein) Suspension for injection
• Pneumococcal Polyvalent-23 Vaccine (with isolate 12F) Solution for injection

Espa�ol:
• Inyección de vacuna antineumocócica polivalente
• Vacuna Antineumocócica, Solución para inyección
• Vacuna Antineumocócica, Solución para inyección
• Vacuna Antineumocócica, Solución para inyección

Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polyvalent injection

What is pneumococcal vaccine, polyvalent?

PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE, POLYVALENT (Pneumovax®, Prevnar™) helps to prevent infection caused by strains of pneumococcus bacteria. These bacteria are a major cause of ear infections, 'Strep throat' infections, and serious pneumonia, meningitis, or blood infections worldwide. These vaccines help the body to produce antibodies (protective substances) that help you fight these bacteria. The Prevnar™ pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for infants and young children. Pneumovax® is recommended for certain children and adults with increased risks for these infections. Different brands and types of pneumococcal vaccine are available.

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

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• an immune deficiency (natural or due to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid therapy)
• fever or infection
• heart disease
• Hodgkin's disease
• infection with the HIV virus, or have AIDS
• lung disease
• purpura
• unusual bruises or bleeding
• an unusual or allergic reaction to vaccines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Pneumococcal vaccine is for injection into a muscle or under the skin. It is given by a health-care professional in a clinic or prescriber's office.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

Remember to keep appointments for any follow-up doses needed. Notify your health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment, or miss a scheduled dose. Try to reschedule the appointment as soon as you can.

What drug(s) may interact with pneumococcal vaccine?

• medicines for cancer chemotherapy
• medicines that suppress your immune function
• steroid hormones such as hydrocortisone, cortisone, fludrocortisone, prednisone

Pneumococcal vaccine does not interfere with some of the other vaccines that are commonly given to children, such as diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP or DTaP), or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines. In some cases more than one type of vaccine can be given to your child at the same time. Ask your health care provider if you have questions regarding the administration of more than one vaccine to your child.

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. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking pneumococcal vaccine?

Report any side effects to your prescriber or health care professional that do not go away within 3 days. Call your health care provider if any unusual symptoms occur within 4 weeks of vaccination of your child.

What side effects may I notice from receiving pneumococcal vaccine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• confusion
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing
• extreme irritability
• seizures (convulsions)
• severe rash, itching (hives)
• swelling of the eyes or face
• fever over 102 degrees F
• numbness in the arms or legs
• severe headache
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• unusual weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• headache
• joint or muscle aches
• low-grade fever (102 degrees F or less)
• mild skin rash or itching
• pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• weakness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Each dose of 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.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

(pŏl'ē-vā'lənt)
adj.

1. Acting against or interacting with more than one kind of antigen, antibody, toxin, or microorganism.
2. Having more than one chemical valence.

pol'y·va'lence or pol'y·va'len·cy n.

or multivalent 1

1. (in chemistry)
   (a) having a numerical valency greater than unity.
   
   (b) capable of exhibiting more than one valency value.
   
2. (in immunology)
   (a) (of an antibody molecule or fragment) having at least two combining sites.
   
   (b) (of an antiserum or other antibody preparation) capable of combining with two or more different antigens.
   
   (c) (of a vaccine) capable of eliciting immunity to more than one (strain of) microorganism, toxin, or other antigenic agent.
   

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Multivalent; having more than one valence.

• p. vaccine — see polyvalent vaccine.