Rabies Vaccine
Rabies Vaccine Suspension for injection
What is this medicine?
RABIES VACCINE (ray BEES vax EEN) is used to prevent rabies infection. Rabies is mostly a disease of animals. Humans may get rabies if they are bitten by animals that have rabies. The vaccine may be given to protect someone with a high risk of rabies or it may be given to someone after they have been exposed.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
bleeding disorder
cancer
HIV or AIDS
immune system problems
low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
recent or ongoing radiation therapy
take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
an unusual or allergic reaction to vaccines, albumin, eggs, neomycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This vaccine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional.
A copy of Vaccine Information Statements will be given before each vaccination. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children and infants, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
Keep appointments for follow-up doses as directed. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment. All of the vaccine doses must be given in order to provide proper protection.
What may interact with this medicine?
antimalarial drugs
etanercept
immune globulins
infliximab
medicines for organ transplant
medicines to treat cancer
other vaccines
some medicines for arthritis
steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This vaccine, like all vaccines, may not fully protect everyone.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
changes in vision
joint pain with fever
pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
stiff neck and sensitivity to light
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):
dizziness
headache
muscle aches and pains
pain, redness, itching or swelling at site where injected
stomach pain
tiredness
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Rabies Vaccine Suspension for injection
What is this medicine?
RABIES VACCINE (ray BEES vax EEN) is used to prevent rabies infection. Rabies is mostly a disease of animals. Humans may get rabies if they are bitten by animals that have rabies. The vaccine may be given to protect someone with a high risk of rabies or it may be given to someone after they have been exposed.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
bleeding disorder
cancer
HIV or AIDS
immune system problems
low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
recent or ongoing radiation therapy
take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
an unusual or allergic reaction to vaccines, albumin, eggs, neomycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This vaccine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional.
A copy of Vaccine Information Statements will be given before each vaccination. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children and infants, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
Keep appointments for follow-up doses as directed. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment. All of the vaccine doses must be given in order to provide proper protection.
What may interact with this medicine?
antimalarial drugs
etanercept
immune globulins
infliximab
medicines for organ transplant
medicines to treat cancer
other vaccines
some medicines for arthritis
steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This vaccine, like all vaccines, may not fully protect everyone.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
changes in vision
joint pain with fever
pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
stiff neck and sensitivity to light
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):
dizziness
headache
muscle aches and pains
pain, redness, itching or swelling at site where injected
stomach pain
tiredness
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Updated:  
March 21, 2017
Sources:  
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert