Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: FluMist is a nasal vaccine that protects against
infection with the influenza virus or the "flu." FluMist contains live influenza
virus that has been weakened so that it causes minimal or no symptoms. When
FluMist is inhaled, the body responds to the weakened viruses in FluMist by
developing antibodies that fight influenza viruses. These antibodies protect
against later infections by the naturally-occurring influenza virus. FluMist is
effective only against the strains of influenza virus that are included in it,
and the strains of virus change from year to year. FluMist has no effect on the
flu once infection has begun. FluMist should be given shortly before the flu
season begins to allow time for antibodies to be produced and for protection
throughout the entire flu season. FluMist does not prevent 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)
virus infection. The FDA approved FluMist in June 2003.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No.
PREPARATIONS: Intranasal Spray: prefilled single use intranasal spray, 0.2 ml
STORAGE: FluMist should be stored refrigerated between 2-8 C (35-46 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: FluMist is used for preventing influenza virus infections
(flu) in individuals 2 to 49 years of age.
DOSING: Children 2 to 8 years of age who have not previously received.
FluMist should be given 2 doses of 0.2 ml one month apart. Children 2 to 8 years
of age, who previously received FluMist and adults 9 to 49 years of age, should
be given 1 dose (0.2 ml) each season. FluMist is administered by inhaling
through the nose and is not given by injection. Half of a single dose (0.1 ml)
should be inhaled into each nostril while in a standing position.
Since FluMist contains viruses that are likely to cause the flu in the
upcoming season, FluMist developed for previous seasons will not be effective
and should not be used.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Children 5 to 17 years of age who are receiving
aspirin
therapy should not be given FluMist because of the association between aspirin,
influenza infection and Reye's syndrome.
Use of FluMist together with antiviral drugs that are active against the
influenza virus has not been evaluated. Since there is a potential for these
agents to reduce the effectiveness of FluMist (by preventing infection with the
weakened viruses in FluMist), such antiviral agents should not be administered
until 2 weeks after FluMist therapy, and FluMist should not be administered
until 48 hours after antiviral therapy is discontinued.
PREGNANCY: FluMist should not be given to
pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: Use of FluMist during breast feeding has not been adequately
evaluated, and it is not known whether FluMist is excreted in
breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of FluMist are cough, runny nose,
nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, restlessness, muscle aches, tiredness
or weakness and fever. Hypersensitivity reactions have also been reported.
FluMist should not be administered to individuals with asthma because it may
increase wheezing.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
Novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection (swine flu) is an infection that generally is transferred from an infected pig to a human, however there have been reported cases where infection has occured with no contact with infected pigs. Symptoms of swine flu are "flu-like" and include fever, cough, and sore throat. Treatment is generally with the antibiotics oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Pregnant and women who are breastfeeding are encouraged to receive the seasonal flu shot as well as the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine. H1N1 flu is treated with the medications Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Pregnant women should not receive the H1N1 attenuated nasal spray vaccine. Possible side effects of the H1N1 flu vaccine include muscle aches, fever, nausea, tiredness, or headache.
Pregnancy and H1N1 influenza (swine flu) introduction
These questions and answers have been updated to include new information on
2009 H1N1 flu in pregnant women. Both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu viruses will
circulate during the 2009-2010 flu season. A pregnant woman who thinks she has
the flu should call her doctor right away to see if treatment with an antiviral
medicine is needed. The medicine is most helpful if it is started soon after the
pregnant woman becomes sick. The latest advice for getting seasonal and 2009
H1N1 vaccines during pregnancy is also included.
What if I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?
Call your doctor right away if you have
flu symptoms or if you have close
contact with someone who has the flu. Pregnant women who get sick with 2009 H1N1
can have serious health problems. They can get sicker than other people who get
2009 H1N1 flu. Some pregnant women sick with
2009 H1N1 have had
early labor an...
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