What is Varivax: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Varivax

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

• Missed dose: It is important that Varivax® be given at the proper time. If a scheduled shot is missed, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

• Missed dose: It is important that Varivax® be given at the proper time. If a scheduled shot is missed, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

• Most people will need 2 shots of this vaccine. Children usually receive one shot at 12 to 15 months of age and a second shot between 4 and 6 years of age. Teenagers and adults should have a second shot 4 weeks after the first dose.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Most people will need 2 shots of this vaccine. Children usually receive one shot at 12 to 15 months of age and a second shot between 4 and 6 years of age. Teenagers and adults should have a second shot 4 weeks after the first dose.

• Missed dose: It is important that Varivax® be given at the proper time. If a scheduled shot is missed, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

• Missed dose: It is important that Varivax® be given at the proper time. If a scheduled shot is missed, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

What to do if you miss a dose of Varivax

Varivax contraindications

• This vaccine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to varicella virus live vaccine, gelatin, or neomycin, or if you are pregnant. You should not receive it if you have a fever, an immune system problem, AIDS or HIV, a blood or bone marrow disorder, or tuberculosis.

Varivax warnings

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not become pregnant for 3 months after you receive this vaccine.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have received a blood transfusion, other blood products, or an immune globulin.

• You may be able to pass the virus to other people after you receive this vaccine. You should avoid close contact with people at high risk for chickenpox for 6 weeks after you receive this vaccine. Some examples of people who are at high risk are pregnant women, newborn babies, and those with immune system problems (including bone marrow disease, cancer, or AIDS). Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

• You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before the vaccine is given, or on the same day the vaccine is given, or at least 4 weeks after you receive this vaccine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis skin test.

Varivax interactions

• You may receive this vaccine at least 5 months after receiving a blood or plasma transfusion, or immune globulin.

• Children should not take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin (including cold medicines) for 6 weeks after receiving this vaccine.

• You should not receive this vaccine if you are using medicine that weakens the immune system (including cancer medicine or steroid medicine).