Anthrax vaccine (intramuscular route, subcutaneous route)

Biothrax

Anthrax vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by anthrax bacteria. It is used before exposure to anthrax to protect people at high risk of getting the disease. It is also used after exposure to anthrax, together with antibiotics, to protect people from getting the disease. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against anthrax. Anthrax is a serious disease that may cause death. It is spread by touching or eating something that is infected with the anthrax germ, such as animals, or by breathing in the anthrax germ. This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of anthrax vaccine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Anthrax vaccine is not indicated for use in the patients older than 65 years of age. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. 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. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: