Havrix
Havrix is a vaccine used to lower your risk of getting hepatitis A, which is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. This vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle. It's a routine vaccine that everyone should receive as a child. It's also recommended for people traveling to areas where hepatitis A is common.
What is Havrix?
What is Havrix used for?
- Prevention of hepatitis A
How Havrix works
Havrix is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from getting infected with the hepatitis A virus. The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack the virus if it ever infects you.
Drug facts
Side effects of Havrix
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
The likelihood of getting side effects depends on certain factors, such as your age when you receive Havrix, if you're receiving Havrix with other vaccines, and if it's your first or second dose of the vaccine.
Adults
- Soreness at injection site (56%)
- Headache (14%)
Children 2 years of age or older
- Soreness at injection site (21%)
- Headache (9%)
Children aged 1 to 2 years
- Irritability (42%)
- Pain at injection site (32%)
- Redness at injection site (29%)
- Sleepiness (28%)
- Loss of appetite (28%)
*Side effects listed for Havrix. Side effects for Vaqta might differ.
Less Common Side Effects
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Redness and swelling at injection site
- Feeling unwell
Havrix serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, hives, rash, chest pain, swelling of the face, shaking, nausea, flushing, dizziness
The following Havrix side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Fever more than 99.5 degrees F
general feeling of discomfort or illness
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Body aches or pain
chills
congestion
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dryness or soreness of the throat
ear congestion
headache
hoarseness
itching, especially of the feet or hands
loss of voice
reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
shortness of breath
swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)
voice changes
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
agitation
back pain
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
clay-colored stools
coma
confusion
dark urine
difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
difficulty with walking
dizziness
drowsiness
fainting
fast heartbeat
feeling of discomfort
feeling sad or depressed
flu-like symptoms
forgetful
hallucinations
inability to move the arms and legs
increased sweating
inflammation of the joints
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
muscle aches or cramps
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash
red, irritated eyes
seizures
sensation of pins and needles
shakiness and unsteady walk
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stabbing pain
stiff neck
sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
swollen lymph glands
unpleasant breath odor
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Arm pain
bleeding between periods
change in the amount of bleeding during periods
change in the pattern of monthly periods
lack or loss of strength
tenderness or warmth at the injection site
unusual stopping of menstrual bleeding
Rare
Change in color vision
change in taste
collection of blood under the skin
deep, dark purple bruise
difficulty seeing at night
difficulty with moving
dizziness or lightheadedness
excessive muscle tone
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
loss of taste
muscle tension or tightness
sensation of spinning
trouble with sleeping
unable to sleep
welts
Incidence not known
Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Havrix
Pros
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Can receive either Havrix or Vaqta, regardless of which one you received previously
- Protection lasts for at least 20 years in people who complete the vaccination series
- Complete series consists of only 2 doses
Cons
- Only given as an injection into the muscle
- Must be given by a healthcare provider at an office, clinic, or pharmacy
- People with weakened immune systems might not respond to the Havrix well.
- Might contain latex, which can be a problem for people with latex allergies
Pharmacist tips for Havrix
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on the hepatitis A vaccines.
- Receiving Havrix doesn't guarantee that you won't get infected with the hepatitis A virus. In addition to the vaccine, take all necessary precautions while traveling to areas where hepatitis A is common to avoid getting sick from unclean food and drinks. Some examples include avoiding raw foods, street food, bushmeat (animals not typically eated in the United States), tap water, ice, and freshly squeezed juice.
- There is no specific treatment or cure for hepatitis A. If you're exposed to hepatitis A, it's recommended you get medical attention as soon as possible, regardless of vaccination status, so you can get the care you need.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Havrix, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until you're healthy to get Havrix. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, you can still get Havrix. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not you can get this vaccine.
- If you experience a severe reaction to Havrix, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about Havrix
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for many people. The CDC recommends Havrix as a routine vaccine for all children starting at 1 year of age. The CDC also recommends Havrix for people who are at higher risk of hepatitis A, such as people traveling to regions where hepatitis A is common (see next FAQ for more information), men who have sex with men, people who use illegal substances, people who work closely with the hepatitis A virus, people who are homeless, and people with certain conditions (e.g., long-term liver disease, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)), among a few others. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you're unsure if you or your child needs Havrix.
If you haven't been vaccinated against hepatitis A already, the CDC recommends that you receive Havrix if you're traveling to certain areas where there's a higher risk of hepatitis A. Check if vaccination is recommended for your destination. If vaccination is recommended, adults and children at least 6 months of age can receive Havrix. Adults and children aged 1 year and older should receive the 2-dose series for travel. It's best to receive both doses before traveling (meaning starting your series at least 6 months before you leave). But if you don't have time, get at least 1 dose as soon as possible before departing, since the vaccine still works very well at protecting from infection even with a single dose. Remember to get another dose 6 months after your first dose to complete the series. The CDC also recommends that infants aged 6 to 11 months receive 1 dose of Havrix before traveling. However, they'll still need to complete the 2-dose series after turning 1 year old.
Havrix lowers your risk for hepatitis A, a liver infection that can be life-threatening. Hepatitis A is very contagious. The virus gets into your body through close contact with an infected person or through eating unclean foods or drinks. Symptoms of hepatitis A include yellow skin or eyes, low appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, fever, or dark urine or light-colored stools. Most people, especially children, don't have any symptoms, but they can still spread the infection to others. If you get symptoms, they usually appear several weeks after infection and can last up to 6 months. There isn't a cure or treatment for hepatitis A, just rest, fluids, and nutrition. More severe cases of hepatitis A can lead to liver failure and even death.
Havrix and Vaqta are both brand names for the hepatitis A vaccine. They're both useful for preventing hepatitis A and don't really have any differences. You can receive either one of the hepatitis A vaccines, regardless of the brand you received previously.
There haven't been any studies looking at how Havrix affects pregnant women and their unborn baby. But the CDC suggests that the vaccine might not cause harm to your baby because it's an inactivated vaccine (inactivated vaccines aren't expected to raise the risk of harm to unborn babies). Because of this, the CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination in pregnant women at risk for hepatitis A exposure or at risk for severe disease after getting infected with hepatitis A. Still, ask your provider if Havrix is right for you before getting the vaccine.
According to the CDC, if you've been exposed to the virus and you've already completed the vaccination series for hepatitis A, you don't need to get an additional dose of Havrix. You're likely protected against the virus from your completed series. If you've been exposed to the virus but haven't been previously vaccinated, you should receive a single dose of Havrix as soon as possible, within 2 weeks of exposure. Then, follow up with your provider after 6 months to complete the series with the second dose.
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Risks and warnings for Havrix
Havrix can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Latex allergy | Allergy to neomycin | Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to Havrix. Your risk is higher if you're allergic to latex because the prefilled syringes contain natural rubber latex. If you have an allergy to neomycin, be aware that Havrix contains a small amount of this ingredient.
Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, swelling of the face, feeling faint, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to Havrix in people with weakened immune systems
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Havrix might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of hepatitis A, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease) or cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications, cancer medications), talk to your provider first before receiving Havrix.
Havrix dosage
Typical dosage for Havrix
Havrix is given by a healthcare provider as an injection into the thigh muscle for children 12 to 23 months of age and into the shoulder muscle for adults and children at least 2 years old.
The hepatitis A vaccination series consists of 2 injections into the muscle, given at least 6 months apart.
- For children aged 1 to 18 years of age, each injection is 0.5 mL.
- For adults, each injection is 1 mL.
Interactions between Havrix and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Havrix cost?
$45.99
What are alternatives to Havrix?
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