VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED)

People who have been vaccinated with VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) should avoid close contact for up to 6 weeks with the following individuals: who have not been previously vaccinated against chickenpox, children/adults/pregnant women who have never had chickenpox, who have a weak immune system or receiving immune suppressants, and new-born babies whose mother have never had chickenpox. Adults and children with weak immune systems who receive VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) should be closely monitored as this vaccine is less effective in these people. In people who have undergone blood or plasma transfusion, who had taken human normal immunoglobulin or varicella-zoster immunoglobulin, VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) vaccine should be avoided or postponed for at least five months in these people. Besides, people should not receive any immunoglobulin medicines for one month following VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED). You should not take pain killer (aspirin) for six weeks following VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) as it may cause Reye syndrome (a severe condition that causes liver and brain damage). Women of childbearing potential should use reliable contraceptive methods as it is not recommended to get pregnant for one month following VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) vaccination.

Drug-Drug Interactions: VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) should not be given to patients taking immune suppressive therapy (tacrolimus, cyclosporine, and azathioprine, etc.) or high doses of corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone, etc.). VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) may interact with a pain killer (aspirin) and cause Reye syndrome (a severe condition that causes liver and brain damage). VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) may also interact with immunoglobulin therapy (human normal immunoglobulin and varicella-zoster immune globulin).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) should not be used in patients with cancer-related to blood (leukaemia) and immune system (lymphoma), HIV or AIDS, active untreated tuberculosis, and fever (higher than 38.5°C).

• Eat bland foods such as rice, pasta, and oatmeal and soft foods such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, boiled eggs, avocado, and boiled chicken.
• Prefer eating yoghurt, milkshakes, and smoothies. Avoid eating spicy, salty, and acidic foods.
• Stay hydrated. Prefer drinks such as coconut water, herbal teas, low-sugar drinks, and electrolyte-infused drinks.
• Do not scratch or itch the rashes, as it may worsen them. Regular hand washing and trimming the nails can avoid the spreading of infection.
• Monitor your temperature regularly. Sponging can help to reduce fever.
• Take adequate rest and sleep.
• Stay isolated and do not go outside until the last blister has disappeared.
• Vaccinate all the contacts (family members or caretakers) within 3 to 5 days post-exposure to the virus.

• VARICELLA (LIVE ATTENUATED) should not be given intravenously (IV). It is given under the skin or into the muscle. If given into the muscle, the upper arm area is preferred in adults, and the thigh area is preferred in children. The injection is usually given under the skin if you have a blood clotting disorder or thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets).
• If there is a requirement to give more than one live virus vaccine simultaneously, these injections should be given at different sites. However, if it is not necessary to give them on the same day, they should be spaced at an interval of at least four weeks.