Rabies vaccine (By injection)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

You should not receive a rabies vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to it before.

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. The vaccine is injected into the upper arm muscle. Very young or small children may have the vaccine injected into the upper leg muscle.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You are at risk for exposure to the rabies virus if you work with animals or will be going to a country where rabies is common. People who are at risk of being exposed to rabies will receive 3 doses on 3 different days within a 1-month period.
If you have received the vaccine in the past and have been exposed to the rabies virus, you will need to receive 2 doses on 2 different days within a 1-month period.
If you have not yet received the vaccine and were exposed to the rabies virus, you will need a total of 5 doses on 5 different days within a 1-month period. You will also receive a shot of rabies immune globulin.
It is very important that you have the shots on the exact day your doctor tells you to.

You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

Tell your doctor before you receive this vaccine if you take medicine that weakens your immune system, such as a steroid (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®) or cancer treatment.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to any type of vaccine, if you have an illness with fever, or if you have an immune system problem.
This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your médico about this risk if you are concerned.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

Last Updated: 1/27/2017