Lymerix (Lipoprotein Outer Surface A Vaccine) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Lymerix

Lyme Disease »

Lyme disease facts

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that is spread by tick bites.
Lyme disease can affect the skin, joints, heart, and the nervous system.
Lyme disease occurs in phases -- the early phase beginning at the site of the tick bite with an expanding ring of redness.
Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the patient's clinical signs of illness and the detection of Lyme antibodies in the blood.
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.

What is Lyme disease? What causes Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete." In the United States, the actual name of the bacterium is Borrelia burgdorferi. In Europe, another bacterium, Borrelia afzelii, also causes Lyme disease. Certain ticks found on deer harbor the bacterium in their stomachs. Lyme disease is spread by these ticks when they bite th...

Read the Lyme Disease article »

Lymerix

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Lymerix™
Lyme Disease Vaccine (Recombinant OspA)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

LYMErix [Lyme Disease Vaccine (Recombinant OspA)] is a noninfectious recombinant vaccine developed and manufactured by Smith Kline Beecham Biologicals. The causative agent of Lyme disease is Borrelia burgdorferi; in North America, all Lyme disease is due to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. The vaccine contains lipoprotein OspA, an outer surface protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto ZS7, as expressed by Escherichia coli. Lipoprotein OspA is a single polypeptide chain of 257 amino acids with lipids covalently bonded to the N terminus. No substance of animal origin is used in the commercial manufacturing process. Fermentation media consist primarily of inorganic salts, and vitamins, with small quantities of antifoam (contains silicon), kanamycin sulfate (an aminoglycoside antibiotic), and yeast extract. Silicon and kanamycin are removed to levels below detection (<7 ppm and <10 ppb, respectively). The vaccine is adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide.

LYMErix (lipoprotein outer surface a vaccine) is supplied as a sterile suspension in single-dose vials and prefilled syringes for intramuscular administration. The vaccine is ready for use without reconstitution; it must be shaken before administration to ensure a uniform turbid white suspension.

Each 0.5 mL dose of vaccine consists of 30 mcg of lipoprotein OspA adsorbed onto 0.5 mg aluminum as aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Each dose of the vaccine preparation contains 10 mM phosphate buffered saline and 2.5 mg of 2-phenoxyethanol, a bacteriostatic agent.

The potency of the vaccine is evaluated by immunizing mice with LYMErix (lipoprotein outer surface a vaccine) and measuring their serum antibody response to OspA by ELISA.

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/31/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.