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Pneumovax Drug Center

Pneumovax 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) is a vaccine that helps protect against serious infection, such as ear infection, sinus infection, pneumonia, blood infection (bacteremia), and meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain) due to the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. This vaccine is important for preventing infection in individuals at risk, including those with heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, cirrhosis, spleen problems, sickle cell anemia, HIV, certain cancers, adults over 65 years of age. Common side effects include injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, hard lump), muscle/joint aches, fever, nausea and vomiting.

A single 0.5 ml dose of Pneumovax 23 vaccine is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (in the deltoid muscle or lateral mid-thigh) by a physician or nurse. Pneumovax may interact with steroids, treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays, azathioprine, basiliximab, cyclosporine, etanercept, leflunomide, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus, or tacrolimus. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Pneumovax should be used only when prescribed. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Our Pneumovax 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.