Lyme Disease Vaccine (Injection)

Lyme Disease Vaccine (Recombinant OspA) (lyme dis-EEZ vak-SEEN (re-KOM-bin-ant ospa))

Helps prevent Lyme disease, an infection caused by a bite from an infected tick.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to Lyme disease vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to vaccines before.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• This medicine helps prevent Lyme disease. It should not be given to patients younger than 15 years old or older than 70 years.
• Your doctor will tell you how many shots you should have and when to get them. The shots will be given in a muscle, usually in your upper arm.
• You should get 3 doses of the vaccine. You will get a first dose of the vaccine. Then, a second dose will be given one month later. The third dose is given 12 months after the first dose.
• The vaccine works best if you have had all 3 doses of the vaccine a few weeks before the time you might be exposed to tick bites.
• Make sure you understand your dosing schedule and return to your doctor's office or clinic to receive your shots. You must have all 3 doses of the vaccine for the medicine to protect you from Lyme disease.

If a dose is missed:

• Make another appointment as soon as possible. It is very important that you do not miss a dose.
• You may need to discuss your missed dose with your doctor.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Before having the vaccine, make sure your doctor knows if you are using drugs to treat cancer or if you use steroid medicines (such as cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, and others), tacrolimus (Prograf®), cyclosporine, mycophenolate (CellCept®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Lyme disease is caused by a bite from an infected tick. To help prevent tick bites, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, not shorts. Tuck your pants into your socks and use a tick repellent on your clothes. Check for ticks frequently and remove any ticks that you find on your body or clothes.
• The vaccine will not cure Lyme disease or prevent Lyme disease if you already are infected when you get the vaccine. It is not known how long the vaccine will protect you from getting Lyme disease.
• Even if you have had Lyme disease before, you can still get it again if you have not had the vaccine. However if you have arthritis caused by Lyme disease, you should not have this vaccine.
• This medicine may affect tests that are used to tell if you have Lyme disease. You may test positive for Lyme disease after having this vaccine, even if you are not infected. If you are tested for Lyme disease, be sure to tell your health caregiver that you have had this vaccine.
• Talk with your doctor before you receive this vaccine if you have a fever or an immune system disorder (such as HIV).
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before you get this vaccine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Wheezing or trouble breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, or throat
• Severe skin rash or hives

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Muscle or joint aches
• Low fever
• Feeling tired
• Mild rash

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.