This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
ProQuad
Brand Names: Canada
Priorix-Tetra; ProQuad
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to prevent measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), and varicella (chickenpox).
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has any of these health problems: A weak immune system or a family member with a weak immune system, TB (tuberculosis) that is not being treated, or an illness with a fever.
- If your child is taking any drugs to suppress the immune system. This may be certain doses of steroids like prednisone. This does not apply to children taking steroids for certain health problems like Addison’s disease. There are many drugs that can suppress the immune system. Ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- If your child has recently had any of these: Blood transfusion, plasma transfusion, immune globulin like varicella-zoster immune globulin.
- If your child is younger than 12 months old. Do not give this drug to a child younger than 12 months old.
If your child is pregnant:
- If your child is pregnant or plans to get pregnant within the next 3 months. Do not give this drug to your child during pregnancy or if your child is planning to get pregnant within the next 3 months.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- If your child has a TB skin test soon after getting this vaccine, tell the doctor that your child has gotten the vaccine.
- Like all vaccines, this vaccine may not fully protect all people who get it. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- Rarely, your child can spread the chickenpox virus to others after getting this vaccine. When able to, have your child avoid close contact with certain people. People like newborns, pregnant people who have not had chickenpox, and people with weak immune systems. Do this for up to 6 weeks after your child gets this vaccine. Talk with the doctor if your child cannot avoid close contact with these people.
- Children may have a fever after getting this vaccine. Some children have had a seizure caused by fever. Talk with your child’s doctor.
- If your child is allergic to eggs, talk with the doctor.
- Do not give aspirin or products like aspirin for at least 6 weeks after your child gets this vaccine. The chance of a very bad illness called Reye’s syndrome may be raised. Reye’s syndrome causes damage to the brain and liver.
- This drug is not approved for use in children older than 12 years of age or in adults. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy.
- If your child gets pregnant within 3 months after getting this vaccine, call the doctor right away.
- Tell the doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about any risks to the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- High fever.
- Seizures.
- Rarely, other side effects have happened with this drug. It is not known if this drug caused these side effects. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has easy bruising; red or purple, flat spots under the skin; pale skin; trouble walking; severe skin problems, or a skin infection. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a headache, fever, chills, very upset stomach or throwing up, stiff neck, seizures, feels sleepy or confused, or if bright lights bother your child’s eyes.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Pain, redness, swelling, or other reaction where the injection was given.
- Mild fever.
- Feeling fussy.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into a muscle or into the fatty part of the skin.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Additional Information
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are made by the staff of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each VIS gives information to properly inform the adult receiving the vaccine or, in the case of a minor, the child’s parent or legal representative about the risks and benefits of each vaccine. Before a doctor vaccinates a child or an adult, the provider is required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act to give a copy of the VIS. You can also get foreign language versions.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/mmrv.html
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This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-04-07
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