ProQuad

ProQuad is used to prevent infection from measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox) viruses. It works by introducing a small dose of the virus into your child’s body which causes the body to make antibodies (protection) against these viruses.

It does not cure the active infection that has already developed in the body. It may not provide protection from diseases in every person.

Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella are serious diseases caused by viruses. They are spread from person to person through the air.

It is usually given only once when the child is between 12 months to 12 years old. This vaccine is recommended for all children above 12 months of age and older. Below 12 months of age, infant is protected by his/her mother antibodies.

This vaccine is available in a powder form for solution and suspension and is given only by or under your doctor’s supervision.

If you are about to start using ProQuad, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Allergy

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children

It should not be used in children younger than 12 months of age as they are already protected by their mother antibodies. You should wait till your child is 12 months of age.

Elderly

It is not recommended to be used by elder patient.

Pregnancy

It is a category C drug. It should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not become pregnant for 3 months after getting measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies which prove that measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are using measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions

Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He/she may want to change the dosage or drug. Some of them are listed below:

• Deflazacort
• Aclarubicin
• Adalimumab
• Aldesleukin
• Carboplatin
• Carmustine
• Decitabine
• Docetaxel
• Doxifluridine
• Methotrexate
• Mitolactol
• Abatacept

Other Medical Conditions

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• History of immune system problems
• If you have recently received a blood or plasma transfusion, or human immune serum globulin
• Low blood platelet count
• Seizures
• History of brain injury
• Severe illness with fever
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Tuberculosis
• Bone marrow cancer

Proper usage of ProQuad requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. It is given as an injection into your muscle or skin by your doctor or health care professional in hospital or clinic.

Your child should receive first shot of vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. The second shot of this vaccine is given at 4 to 6 years of age. If your child misses a scheduled shot, call your child's doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

Before using ProQuad, there are some precautions you must take. Make sure you do not become pregnant for 3 months after getting this vaccine as it is known to cause birth defects.

One should use a very effective form of birth control method. The result of TB skin test is affected if you have received this vaccine within 8 weeks of this test.

Inform your doctor:

Inform your doctor if you are receiving any other live vaccine within 1 months of receiving measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine or varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or other immune globulins within 3 to 5 months after receiving it.

You should inform your doctor before receiving blood or gamma globulin transfusion within 2 weeks of receiving this vaccine.

Some cases have been reported in which children developed a fever with seizures after receiving this vaccine. Discuss it with your doctor if you have any concern regarding this.

Do not give your child salicylates such as:

• aspirin
• Disalcid
• Doan's Pills
• Dolobid
• Salflex
• Tricosal
• and others

for at least 6 weeks after receiving this vaccine. A serious condition called Reye's syndrome has been reported in patients with chickenpox who take aspirin or salicylates.

Your child should avoid contact with people who are at high risk of getting varicella virus (chicken pox) for at least 6 weeks after receiving this vaccine.

High-risk people are:

• pregnant women
• newborn babies
• and anyone who has a weak immune system that keeps them from fighting infections

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with ProQuad. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Fever over 39 °C (102 °F)

Less common are:

• Redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given;
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Low fever
• Joint or muscle pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Serious side effects are:

• Problems with hearing or vision
• Extreme drowsiness, fainting
• Fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer
• Easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• Seizure
• High fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.