Penmenvy
Penmenvy (MenABCWY) is a vaccine that helps protect against meningococcal disease, including meningitis, caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It gives protection against all five meningococcal groups (A, B, C, W, and Y). Penmenvy is approved for people ages 10 through 25. It's given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare professional. It's a 2-dose series, with each injection given 6 months apart. Common side effects include pain where you got the shot, feeling tired, and headache.
What is Penmenvy?
What is Penmenvy used for?
- Prevention of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis A, B, C, W, and Y bacteria
How Penmenvy works
Penmenvy is a vaccine. It trains your immune system to make antibodies against five types of meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis A, B, C, W, and Y). The antibodies help your body fight these germs if you get exposed later. This protects you from serious illness.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Penmenvy |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Vaccine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Penmenvy
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 at the injection site (up to 92%)
- Feeling tired (up to 51%)
- Headache (up to 42%)
- Nausea (up to 15%)
- Muscle aches (up to 15%)
- Redness at the injection site (up to 13%)
- Swelling at the injection site (up to 13%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Firm skin at the injection site
- Joint ache
- Fever
- Feeling dizzy or faint
Penmenvy serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching, nausea, dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat
The following Penmenvy side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Chills
- General discomfort and fatigue
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of Penmenvy
Pros
- Protects against five common meningococcal bacteria groups (A, B, C, W, and Y) in one vaccine series
- Given only twice, 6 months apart
- Helps reduce the number of meningococcal shots you need (one shot instead of a MenACWY shot and Bexsero MenB shot)
Cons
- Often causes pain where the injection was given
- Can feel tired or have headaches as side effects
- Doesn't treat an active infection
Pharmacist tips for Penmenvy
- Penmenvy is a 2-dose series with each injection given 6 months apart. Put both dates on your calendar to help you remember when you need to get your injections. This helps the vaccine work its best to protect you. If you miss the second dose, reschedule as soon as you can.
- It’s okay to get other routine vaccines on the same day as Penmenvy. This can be convenient and help you stay on schedule with your vaccines.
- Bring your vaccine records to your second appointment. Your care team can make sure you get the same brand name of the MenABCWY vaccine for both doses in the series. You can't mix and match Penmenvy with the other MenABCWY vaccine brand names.
- If you have a high fever or feel very sick on the day of your Penmenvy shot, ask a healthcare professional if you should wait to get the vaccine. This can help your body build the best protection against meningococcal disease.
- Fainting can sometimes happen with vaccines like Penmenvy. If you feel lightheaded, stay seated for 15 minutes. This can help you feel better and prevent injury.
- It's common to have pain in the arm where you got the Penmenvy shot. After the injection, you might also feel tired or have a headache. These side effects usually last a few days. To help, you can put a cool compress for arm pain. Also try to take it easy as you recover from these side effects.
- Penmenvy helps protect against meningococcal disease, but it might not protect every case. It also might not protect against every group B strain. Keep watching for signs of meningitis, such as sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, vomiting, or a purple rash. This is especially important in group settings, like dorms or camps. Get medical help right away if you notice these symptoms.
- Tell your clinician about your medical history and the medications you take. Some conditions and medications can weaken your immune system. This means you can still get sick from meningococcal disease even after vaccination. Watch for symptoms and talk to your clinician about other ways to help prevent serious infection.
Risks and warnings for Penmenvy
Penmenvy 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
A severe allergic reaction can happen after any vaccine, including Penmenvy. Signs can include hives, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. These reactions often happen within minutes. This is why clinics sometimes watch you for a short time after the shot and keep emergency treatment nearby. If symptoms start after you leave, call for emergency medical help right away.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after receiving vaccines in the past
Some people have fainted after receiving injectable vaccines, like Penmenvy. It usually happens within minutes and is short‑lived, but it can lead to falls and injuries.
You might feel lightheaded, sweaty, become pale, or have blurred vision right before you pass out. Staying seated or lying down for 15 minutes can help lower your risk of getting hurt. Tell the care team immediately if you feel dizzy after Penmenvy so they can help you stay safe.
Lower response to Penmenvy for people with a weakened immune system
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Penmenvy might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This means they could still get very sick from meningococcal disease or meningitis, even after getting the vaccine.
Tell your primary care provider or healthcare team about all your health problems and medications before getting Penmenvy. Some conditions, like HIV or cancer, can weaken your immune system. Some medications can do this too. This includes high-dose corticosteroids and transplant medications. If this applies to you, talk to your primary care provider before getting the vaccine. They might recommend extra doses of a meningitis vaccine over time to keep you protected.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Risk factors: History of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has happened in some people after they receive a different meningococcal vaccine. GBS is a rare nerve condition that can cause tingling, weakness, or paralysis. It usually starts in the legs and sometimes spreads to the arms and face.
It’s not clear if GBS can also happen with Penmenvy. To be safe, tell the healthcare professional if you've ever had GBS before getting this vaccine. They can help decide if the vaccine is right for you.
Get urgent care right away if you notice new weakness, trouble walking, facial droop, or trouble breathing problems after getting Penmenvy.
Penmenvy dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml dose | 2 cartons | $278.94 | $139.47 |
Typical dosage for Penmenvy
- Ages 10 through 25 years old: The typical dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) given into the muscle once, followed by another injection 6 months later. The injection is given by a trained healthcare professional.
How much does Penmenvy cost?
$278.94
Penmenvy contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Penmenvy will not be safe for you to take.
- Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Penmenvy
- Severe allergic reaction to any other diphtheria toxoid‑containing vaccine
What are alternatives to Penmenvy?
Penmenvy images
