Information specific to: ACWY Vax vaccine powder and solvent for solution for injection 0.5ml vials when used in Vaccinations (all).
ACWY Vax (A-C-W-Y Vax) is a medicine which is used in a number of conditions - an example is immunisation against or treatment of tetanus. ACWY Vax contains Neisseria meningitidis group A capsular polysaccharide/Neisseria meningitidis group C capsular polysaccharide/Neisseria meningitidis group W135 capsular polysaccharide/Neisseria meningitidis group Y capsular polysaccharide. It is supplied by GlaxoSmithKline UK.
The information in this Medicine Guide for ACWY Vax varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
Your medicine
ACWY Vax is a vaccine which is used to give people immunity to four different types of bacteria that can cause meningitis.
ACWY Vax is given to you by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the right dose.
If you feel unwell after having the medicine then talk to your prescriber or someone involved in your medical care.
Whether this medicine is suitable for you
ACWY Vax is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- have a high temperature
- have problems with your immune system
- have recently had a vaccination or are having a vaccination soon
Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for a child under the age of two years.
Over time it is possible that ACWY Vax can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that ACWY Vax has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
In the case of ACWY Vax:
- there are no known interactions between alcohol and ACWY Vax
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
In the case of ACWY Vax:
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when having ACWY Vax
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
In the case of ACWY Vax:
- this medicine is unlikely to affect driving ability or the ability to operate machinery
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
In the case of ACWY Vax:
- you should only have this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it
You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the decision is that you should not have ACWY Vax, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
In the case of ACWY Vax:
- you should only have this medicine while breast-feeding if your doctor thinks you need it
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. You should only breast-feed your baby while taking this medicine on the advice of your doctor or midwife.
Taking other medicines
There are no known important interactions between ACWY Vax and other medicines. If you experience any unusual symptoms while having ACWY Vax and other medicines you should tell your prescriber.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with ACWY Vax.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
