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Ixiaro

Japanese encephalitis vaccine
Used for Japanese Encephalitis
Used for Japanese Encephalitis

Ixiaro is a vaccine that lowers your risk of getting Japanese encephalitis (JE) caused by the JE virus. It's given as an injection into the muscle and is recommended for people who are at high risk of coming into contact with the JE virus.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 18, 2022
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostLatest newsPricesMedicare
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What is Ixiaro?

What is Ixiaro used for?

  • Prevention of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in adults and children 2 months of age and older

How Ixiaro works

Ixiaro is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, which can cause a condition known as JE. The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies against the virus, which will attack the virus if it ever infects your body.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsIxiaro
Drug ClassVaccine
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$364.57(save 17.74%)
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What are the side effects of Ixiaro?

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

  • Pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness at injection site
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling irritated (most commonly in children between 1 and 3 years of age)

Other Side Effects

  • Feeling tired
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain

Source: DailyMed

The following 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

Chills

cough

diarrhea

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

runny nose

shivering

sore throat

sweating

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Less common

Body aches or pain

difficulty breathing

ear congestion

loss of voice

nasal congestion

sneezing

Incidence not known

Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

fainting

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:

More common

Difficulty moving

muscle cramps or stiffness

swollen joints

Less common

Back pain

pain, itching, redness, or swelling where the shot was given

rash

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Ixiaro

thumbs-up

Pros

The only vaccine available in the United States to prevent JE

Can be given to children as young as 2 months old

Not made with natural rubber latex, so people with latex allergies can receive the vaccine

thumbs-down

Cons

Must get at least 2 injections for the primary series

Unknown if booster doses work well and are safe in children younger than 17 years old

Must be given by a healthcare provider

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Ixiaro

pharmacist

  • If you're traveling, check if JE vaccination is recommended for your destination.

    • Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Ixiaro, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.

      • After your first dose of Ixiaro, make sure to schedule or mark your second dose on your calendar to help you remember when to get your next dose. In order for this vaccine to work well, you need 2 doses, typically given 4 weeks (28 days) apart.

        • Don't get Ixiaro if you're sick. Wait until you recover first. But if you're sick with only mild symptoms, such as the common cold or a low-grade fever, you can still receive Ixiaro. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not you need to wait to get the vaccine.

          • It's common to experience symptoms, such as sore arm, headache or muscle aches (more often in adults), or fever (more often in children), right after you receive Ixiaro. These symptoms typically last a few days, but if they last longer than that, let you provider know.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Ixiaro

            Who should receive Ixiaro?
            Ixiaro isn't recommended as a routine vaccine in the United States and isn't for everyone. It's typically only recommended for people who live, travel for at least 1 month, and frequently travel to countries where JE occurs (e.g., Asia). Ixiaro can also be considered for travelers spending less than 1 month in a country where JE occurs if they're going to be visiting rural areas and have a high risk for mosquito bites or aren't sure of their travel plans. In addition, people who work with the JE virus often (e.g., in a lab for research) are at high risk of exposure and should also receive Ixiaro. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if you need to receive Ixiaro.
            Why is it important to get Ixiaro if I need it?
            Ixiaro lowers your risk for JE, which can be a life-threatening condition. The JE virus causing this condition is mainly found in Asia, where it's spread to people through a bite by infected mosquitoes. Early symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting. Symptoms can progress to strange behavior, weakness, movement problems, and seizures (more commonly in children). The most severe complication is encephalitis (brain swelling), leading to sudden, severe headache, high fever, confusion, uncontrollable shaking, and even coma. Though most people who get infected have only mild symptoms or don't have symptoms at all, very few can develop encephalitis leading to death and some survivors can still have permanent brain damage. Additionally, there aren't any treatments for JE, just medications to relieve symptoms, rest, and fluids.
            When is the best time to receive Ixiaro before I travel?
            It's best to start your primary series of Ixiaro at least 5 weeks before traveling to countries where the JE virus is found or exposure to the JE virus, so make sure you plan accordingly. The primary series requires 2 doses given 4 weeks apart, but it's also recommended to receive the second dose at least 1 week before exposure to the JE virus. This gives your immune system enough time to make antibodies against the JE virus in case you're exposed to the virus in the near future.
            How long does Ixiaro provide protection?
            We don't know how long Ixiaro can provide protection against the JE virus for. If you're 17 years or older and still at risk of exposure to the JE virus 1 year after you've completed the primary series, you can get a booster dose to strengthen your immune system against the virus.
            Can I receive Ixiaro if I'm pregnant?
            It's not known if Ixiaro causes harm to unborn babies when given to pregnant women. The vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if it's absolutely necessary. If you're pregnant, don't receive Ixiaro until you've talked to your provider first.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Ixiaro?

            Ixiaro 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.

            risk-warning

            Severe allergic reactions

            As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to Ixiaro. 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 feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.

            risk-warning

            Lower response to Ixiaro in people with weakened immune systems

            • Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system

              Ixiaro might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of JE, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease), 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 Ixiaro.

              risk-warning

              Maintain necessary precautions

              Just like all vaccines, receiving Ixiaro doesn't guarantee that you won't get infected with the JE virus. For the best protection against JE, you should receive Ixiaro as well as take all necessary precautions to avoid getting bit from an infected mosquito. A few ways to do this include using insect repellent (such as DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting, and using air conditioning, if available.

              dosage

              Ixiaro dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 syringe of 0.5ml of Ixiaro is $299.90 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 17.74% off the average retail price of $364.57.
              syringe
              Syringe
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              0.5ml1 syringe$299.90$299.90

              Typical dosing for Ixiaro

              Primary series (2 doses)

              • The primary series consists of 2 doses, given 4 weeks (28 days) apart.

              • Children ages 2 months to younger than 3 years old: Each dose is 1 injection (0.25 mL) given into the muscle by a healthcare provider.

              • Adults and children 3 years or older: Each dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) given into the muscle by a healthcare provider.

              Booster dose (1 dose)

              • Adults and children 17 years and older: If you've completed the primary series more than 1 year ago, you can receive a booster dose if you expect to have ongoing exposure or re-exposure to the JE virus. The booster dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) given into the muscle by a healthcare provider for a one-time dose.

              • Children younger than 17 years old: It's not known if a booster dose is safe or works well. Talk to your child's provider.

              Ixiaro is injected into the thigh muscle for children 2 to 11 months of age, thigh or shoulder muscle for children 1 to 3 years old, and shoulder muscle for people 3 years and older.

              interactions

              Interactions between Ixiaro and other drugs

              Ixiaro may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ixiaro. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              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.

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