Rabies Vaccine Chick Embryo Cell Derived

Rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived is used for pre-exposure immunization (high-risk patients) and postexposure protection against rabies.

Rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived is available under the following different brand names: RabAvert.

Dosages of Rabies Vaccine Chick Embryo Cell-Derived:

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Lyophilized Powder for Reconstitution

• 2.5 International Units/1mL

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Pre-exposure

Primary

• 1 mL intramuscularly (IM) (adults, deltoid region; in small children and infants, anterolateral region of thigh) 3 times, one injection on each of days 0, 7, and 21 or 28

Booster

• 1 mL IM (adults, deltoid region; in small children and infants, anterolateral region of thigh) to maintain a serum titer greater than 1:5 serum dilution by the RFFIT
• Test serum for rabies antibodies every 6 months

Postexposure

• 1 mL IM (adults, deltoid region; in small children and infants, anterolateral region of thigh) 4 times
• One injection on each of days 0, 3, 7, and 14 in conjunction with the administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) on day 0
• HRIG: 20 IU/kg; if anatomically feasible, the full dose should be infiltrated around and into the wound(s), and any remaining volume should be administered IM at an anatomical site distant from vaccine administration
• Immunosuppressed patients: Administer 1 mL IM for 5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 with HRIG

Postexposure (Previously Immunized)

1 mL IM (adults, deltoid region; in small children and infants, anterolateral region of thigh) twice, one injection on each of days 0 and 3

Administration

• Using the longer of the 2 needles supplied, transfer the entire contents of the diluent vial into the vaccine vial
• Mix gently to avoid foaming
• The white, freeze-dried vaccine dissolves to give a clear or slightly opaque suspension
• Withdraw the total amount of dissolved vaccine into the syringe and replace the long needle with the smaller needle for IM injection

Additional Information

• Up-to-date vaccination schedules are available at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications

Other Indications and Uses

• Pre-exposure immunization (high-risk patients)
• Postexposure protection against rabies

Suspected adverse events after administration of any vaccine may be reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967

Common side effects of rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived include:

• Injection site pain, soreness, swelling, erythema, itching, burning
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Localized enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat
• Low-grade fever, chills
• Muscle ache
• Dizziness
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Postmarketing side effects of rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived reported include:
• Guillain-Barre syndrome (rare)
• Anaphylaxis (rare)
• Encephalitis (very rare)
• Meningitis (very rare)
• Retrobulbar neuritis

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Severe interactions of rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived include:

• belimumab

Rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived has serious interactions with at least 36 different drugs.

Moderate interactions of rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived include:

• certolizumab pegol
• ibrutinib
• ifosfamide
• lomustine
• mechlorethamine
• melphalan
• mercaptopurine
• onasemnogene abeparvovec
• oxaliplatin
• procarbazine
• rabies immune globulin, human (RIG)
• rituximab
• ustekinumab

Mild interactions of rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived include:

• chloroquine

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings
This medication contains rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived. Do not take RabAvert if you are allergic to rabies vaccine chick embryo cell-derived or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to processed bovine gelatin, chicken protein, neomycin, chlortetracycline and amphotericin B in trace amounts

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information is available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rabies Vaccine Chick Embryo Cell-Derived?”

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rabies Vaccine Chick Embryo Cell-Derived?”

Cautions

• No information is available

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use rabies vaccine chick embryo cell with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• If exposure to rabies is suspected, nursing a baby is not a priority as far as immunization is concerned. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.