Cervarix Vaccine
Cervarix Vaccine is administered by injection to females aged between 9 and 45 years. The injection will be given in two or three doses several months apart. It is given by your doctor or nurse, who will make sure you get the right amount. It’s important to keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you not to. Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it even if you feel well.
Cervarix Vaccine
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Cervarix Vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer in women. It is used to prevent the disease caused by HPV types 16 and 18. It is only used for prevention and not to treat the condition which is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervarix Vaccine is administered by injection to females aged between 9 and 45 years. The injection will be given in two or three doses several months apart. It is given by your doctor or nurse, who will make sure you get the right amount. It’s important to keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you not to. Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it even if you feel well.
The most common side effects are injection site pain or swelling, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and stomach upset. They are usually mild and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if they bother you or do not go away.
Before taking this vaccine, tell your doctor if you have ever fainted with a previous injection and if you have a weak immune system. Ask your doctor if it is safe to have the vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This vaccine is not an alternative to routine cervical screening. You should still turn up for all scheduled appointments.
03Uses
Prevention of Cervical cancer
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Cervarix Vaccine is a vaccine which helps to develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections.
06Benefits
In Prevention of Cervical cancer
Cervarix Vaccine is given to protect against cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions in female genitals (cervix, vulva, and vagina) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. The vaccine is intended to prevent these and not to treat them. It is normally given between the ages of 9 and 25. It works by increasing your body’s natural defense (immunity) against the HPV (types 16 and 18). The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm by a doctor or nurse. You must make sure you receive all doses in order to be protected. HPV vaccines are considered very safe and the benefits far outweigh the potential health risk.
07Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Upset stomach
Headache
Tiredness
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Injection site pain
Injection site redness
08Safety Information
Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Cervarix Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cervarix Vaccine is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Driving:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Cervarix Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Cervarix Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Cervarix Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
09Drug Tips
Cervarix Vaccine is used for the prevention of cervical cancer.
It is usually given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.
Remain seated for atleast 15 minutes after the injection as it may cause dizziness or fainting.
It does not protect against every type of HPV. Take precautions against sexually transmitted disease and follow your doctor’s advice.
It does not cure an existing HPV infection. But, it can protect you from other different strains of HPV.
Consult with your doctor if you forget to take a scheduled dose.
References
Sources and references
Cervarix . Mumbai, India: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited; 2008 . view
CervarixVaccine, Recombinant]. Rixensart, Belgium:GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; 2009. view
Sinha A, Singh S. Immunization and Immunodeficiency. In: Paul VK, Bagga A, editors. Ghai Essential Pediatrics. 8th ed. New Delhi: CBS Publisher’s & Distributors Pvt Ltd.; 2013. pp. 200-201.
Human Papillomavirus BivalentVaccine, Recombinant. Rixensart, Belgium: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; 2009. view
Cervarix]. Rixensart, Belgium: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A. view
Medscape. Cervarix . Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] view
