Bexsero

Bexsero is a vaccine is used to prevent disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. Bexsero is approved for use in individuals 10 through 25 years of age.

Bexsero helps to protect against Neisseria meningitidis which is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis.

This vaccine is available in an injectable form to be given by a healthcare professional as a 2-dose series one month apart.

Common side effects of Bexsero include pain and swelling at the injection site, headache, and muscle/joint pain.

 Bexsero is used to prevent disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B in individuals aged 10 through 25 years of age.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited

Serious side effects have been reported with Bexsero. See the “Bexsero Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Bexsero include the following:

• pain and swelling at the injection site
• headache
• diarrhea
• muscle/joint pain
• fatigue
• chills

This is not a complete list of Bexsero side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

There is not enough data to show an interaction between Bexsero and other meningococcal vaccines, tetanus toxoid (Td), Reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine, adsorbed (Tdap).

Bexsero may reduce the effectiveness of the human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV), but no recommendations are in place.

Serious side effects have been reported with Bexsero, including the following:

• Allergic reaction requiring treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
  • Rash or itching
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Swelling of the injection site

Do not take Bexsero if you:

• Are allergic to Bexsero or to any of its ingredients
• Have had a previous reaction to Bexsero

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Bexsero, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before receiving Bexsero, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to the Bexsero or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had problems with your immune system
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Bexsero. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if the Bexsero crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Bexsero.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

This vaccine is given as a 2 dose series, at least one month apart. 

Since Bexsero is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

If you miss a dose of Bexsero, make a follow up appointment with your doctor immediately.