The U.S. FDA approved Varicella Vaccine + Live IP in 2005. Varicella Vaccine + Live IP belongs to the medication class known as live attenuated vaccines.

Varicella Vaccine + Live IP treats are used to help protect both adults and children from varicella or chickenpox. Vaccines are administered to protect against infectious diseases for you or your child. It is given to persons 12 months of age and older.  This medicine does not provide complete protection against naturally acquired chickenpox.

Varicella Vaccine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors. Do not self-administer. 

The most common side effects of Varicella Vaccine + Live IP are fever, redness, pain, sensitivity to touch, swelling at the injection site, upper respiratory tract infection (nose, throat, airway), irritability, rash, including varicella-like rash, and itching at the injection site.

Varicella Vaccine + Live IP should not be consumed if you are allergic to Varicella Vaccine + Live IP or any of its ingredients in the medication. Do not use this medicine if you have blood disorders or malignant cancers affecting the immune system, receive immunosuppressive therapy, or have a weakened immune system due to illnesses (HIV or AIDS) or medications. Pregnancy should be avoided for one month after vaccination. It is advised to use effective birth control during to avoid pregnancy. 

Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid taking Varicella Vaccine + Live IP if you have a family history of immunodeficiency, fever, active untreated tuberculosis, or are pregnant. Before taking the medicine, inform your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, if you are a pregnant woman who has never had chickenpox, and a newborn baby whose mothers have never had chickenpox.

Varicella Vaccine + Live IP is also suitable for individuals with no history of chickenpox but has been exposed to someone with the disease. Vaccination within three days of exposure may prevent or lessen the severity of chickenpox, leading to fewer skin lesions and shorter illness duration. Limited information suggests that vaccination up to 5 days after exposure may reduce disease severity.

Do not give Immune Globulins (IG) or other blood products together with Varicella Vaccine + Live IP. Before starting to use this product, inform your doctor about all the underlying medical conditions. Do not peel it off until your doctor advises. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects. Contact your doctor for more information. 

1. Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited; Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Sept 2023] [Accessed on 28th July 2023], pil.5582.pdf (medicines.org.uk)
2. Merck & Co., Inc; Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Feb 2023] [Accessed on 28th July 2023], https://www.fda.gov/media/76000/download

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.