In this Article

• What is pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• What are the possible side effects of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• What is the most important information I should know about pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• How is pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine administered (Pneumovax)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Pneumovax)?
• What happens if I overdose (Pneumovax)?
• What should I avoid before or after getting pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• What other drugs will affect pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Pneumovax)?

Since only one dose of the vaccine is usually given, missing a dose should not occur. If a second dose is recommended and it is missed or delayed, contact your doctor.

What happens if I overdose (Pneumovax)?

An overdose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after getting pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

What other drugs will affect pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax)?

Talk to your doctor before receiving pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine if you are taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:

• an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort);
• an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);
• treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays;
• azathioprine (Imuran);
• basiliximab (Simulect);
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);
• etanercept (Enbrel);
• leflunomide (Arava);
• muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);
• sirolimus (Rapamune); or
• tacrolimus (Prograf).

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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