Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• flu-like illness (achiness, tiredness)
• headache
• muscle aches
• nausea
• pain, redness, and swelling or itching at the injection site
• tiredness
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chills
• Fever
• Hives
• joint pain
• lymph node swelling
• shortness of breath
• skin rash

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine).

After reconstitution, each 1 mL dose of clear or slightly opalescent red-to-purplish red suspension contains approximately 2.5 international units of rabies virus antigen (WISTAR Rabies PM/WI 38 1503-3M Strain). Nonmedicinal ingredients: human Albumin, neomycin, phenol red, and sterile water for injection (as diluent).

If you are receiving this vaccine for pre-exposure prevention, do not take Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine) if you are allergic to the rabies vaccine or any other ingredients of the vaccine.

Because infection with the rabies virus is almost inevitably deadly if not treated with the vaccine, everyone who comes into contact with the rabies virus should be vaccinated.

There may be an interaction between rabies vaccine and any of the following:

• Acetaminophen
• chloroquine
• Fingolimod
• immunosuppressants (medications used to treat cancer or autoimmune disease, or prevent organ rejection)
• Azathioprine
• Belimumab
• corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, fluticasone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• Hydroxyurea
• Infliximab
• medications to treat cancer (e.g., Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, Vincristine)
• mycophenolate
• Rituximab
• Tacrolimus
• warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine).

Allergic reactions: As with any vaccine, allergic reactions are possible with the rabies vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain in the clinic or office for a period of time after receiving the vaccine, to ensure that you do not develop an allergic reaction.

Bleeding disorders: If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medications that make you more likely to bleed (i.e., Warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid [Asa]) tell the person giving you the injection. There is a risk of excessive bleeding where you get the injection if it is not done carefully.

Immune system: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not be as effective for people with a weakened immune system (e.g., people with AIDS or cancer, people taking antirejection medications after an organ transplant, people receiving chemotherapy, people taking any medication that suppresses the immune system). Your doctor may want to do blood tests to check how well your body has responded to the vaccine.

Vaccine protection: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not protect 100% of people who receive it and may not prevent infection in those people already infected with virus.

Pregnancy: If there is a significant risk of contact with rabies, women should consider receiving vaccination before pregnancy. Infection with the rabies virus is frequently fatal if vaccination is not started as soon as possible after contact with the virus. For this reason, the benefits of receiving the rabies vaccine while pregnant outweigh the risks to the mother and developing baby.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if rabies vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Imovax Rabies (Rabies-vaccine), it may affect your baby. Because infection with the rabies virus is often fatal, vaccination should not be postponed if it is needed. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.