Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Spikevax

Descriptions


SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (mRNA-LNP, spike protein) is under investigation as an active immunization against COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in persons 6 months of age and older. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine is used to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Monovalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is no longer authorized for use in the United States.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Suspension

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine supplied in a vial with a red cap and a label with a light blue border in children 12 years of age and older, vial with a dark blue cap and a label with a purple or light blue border in children 6 to 11 years of age, and vial with a dark blue cap and a label with a magenta border in children 6 months to 5 years of age. Safety and efficacy have been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine n in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution for patients receiving this vaccine.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Elivaldogene Autotemcel
  • Rituximab
  • Teplizumab-mzwv
  • Ublituximab-xiiy

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Heart disease (eg, myocarditis, pericarditis), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Immune system problems (eg, patients who received an organ transplant)—This condition may decrease the useful effects of the vaccine.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine: This vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 1 month apart. If you have received 1 dose of Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine, you should receive a second dose of this vaccine to complete your vaccination series.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series (supplied in a vial with a dark blue cap and a label with a magenta border): This vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 1 month apart in children 6 months to 5 years of age. Patients who have a weak immune system may receive a third dose at least 1 month after the first 2 doses.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series (supplied in a vial with a dark blue cap and a label with a purple or light blue border): This vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 1 month apart in children 6 to 11 years of age. Patients who have a weak immune system may receive a third dose at least 1 month after the first 2 doses.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series (supplied in a vial with a red cap and a label with a light blue border): This vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 1 month apart in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Patients who have a weak immune system may receive a third dose at least 1 month after the first 2 doses.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine first booster dose (supplied in a vial with a red cap and a label with a light blue border): You may be given a first booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after your primary series with this vaccine. It is usually given to patients 18 years of age and older. You may also receive a first booster dose of this vaccine after your primary vaccination with another authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine (eg, Janssen COVID-19 vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine).

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine second booster dose (supplied in a vial with a red cap and a label with a light blue border): You may be given a second booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after your first booster dose with any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. It is usually given to patients 18 years of age and older who have a weak immune system and to patients 50 years of age and older.

This vaccine comes with a Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers. Read and follow the information in the Fact Sheet carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Precautions

Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving the vaccine.

This vaccine may increase your risk of serious heart problems (eg, myocarditis, pericarditis), especially after you receive the second dose. Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, blue or pale skin, chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder, fever, chills, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Fainting may occur after you receive this vaccine. You may also have vision changes, numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, or feet, or jerky movements of the arms and legs. Your doctor may want you to be observed after you get the injection to prevent and manage fainting.

This vaccine may not protect everyone who receives it. This vaccine will not treat symptoms of COVID-19 infection if you already have the disease. It is very important that you take precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Chills
  2. difficulty in moving
  3. fever
  4. headache
  5. joint pain
  6. muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
  7. nausea
  8. swollen joints
  9. unusual tiredness or weakness
  10. vomiting

Incidence not known

  1. Anxiety
  2. blue or pale skin
  3. chest discomfort or tightness
  4. chest pain, possible moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
  5. cough
  6. difficulty swallowing
  7. dizziness
  8. fast heartbeat
  9. fainting
  10. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  11. trouble breathing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  1. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sars-cov-2-covid-19-vaccine-mrna-lnp-spike-protein-moderna-intramuscular-route/proper-use/drg-20505150