Preventing Shingles: A New Vaccine

Contributed by: Laura Leone, Pharm.D.

Community Pharmacy Resident

Text Box: Who Should Not Receive Zostavax®? You should not receive Zostavax® if you: · are allergic to gelatin, neomycin, or any other ingredient of the vaccine · are receiving immunosuppressive therapy including high-dose corticosteroids by mouth or injection · have active tuberculosis (TB) that is not being treated · have a disease or condition that causes a weakened immune system including leukemia, lymphomas of any type, other cancers affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, or HIV/AIDS · are pregnant or may become pregnant in the next three months

Text Box: What Else Should I Know About Zostavax®? · Zostavax® may not be given if you are ill with a fever >101° F · As with any vaccine, vaccination with Zostavax® may not result in protection of everyone who receives the vaccine. In the clinical studies, however, those patients who developed shingles despite being vaccinated experienced a significant overall decreased risk for postherpetic neuralgia and a small decrease in the duration of postherpetic neuralgia · The use of Zostavax® in patients with a previous history of shingles has not been studied · There is a possibility of transferring

Text Box: the virus to close contacts, therefore be cautious around someone who may be pregnant or may become pregnant in the next three months and has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox, or someone who has problems with their immune system For more information about shingles or the vaccine Zostavax®, please contact your pharmacist, physician, or other healthcare professional. You may also visit these websites: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000858.htm www.zostavax.com

New HPV Vaccine Prevents Cancer

Contributed by: Jill Sowers, Pharm.D. Candidate

KU School of Pharmacy

Text Box: What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to a genital infection. More than 100 different types of HPV exist, and about 30 types are spread through sexual contact. Though most types are not dangerous, some can cause cervical cancer if not detected in time. How common is HPV? It is estimated that around 20 million people are presently infected with HPV. About half of all sexually active men and women will get infected with genital HPV some time during their lives. How can I tell if I have HPV? Most people infected with HPV will not have any symptoms and will clear the infection on their own. The most common symptom that does develop is the presence of genital warts. The warts generally appear within weeks to months after the infection. Most women are diagnosed with HPV through Pap tests that appear abnormal. A Pap test is the primary screening tool for cervical cancer or pre-cancerous alterations in the cervix, many of which are related to HPV. There is also a specific test available to detect HPV DNA in women.

Text Box: How is HPV transmitted? HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, not through an exchange of bodily fluids. Therefore, it is important to be aware that genital HPV can still be still transmitted with the use of a condom. It is also imperative to know that the virus is highly contagious even when no symptoms are present. How can I prevent HPV? Prior to the development of the new vaccine Gardasil TM (Merck), the only way to prevent the transmission of the virus was to abstain from direct genital contact. Now the first and only vaccine is available that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are thought to be the cause of 70% of all cervical cancers. Gardasil TM also protects against types 6 and 11, which are associated with 90% of all genital warts cases. When is the best time to get vaccinated? The vaccine is not meant to treat existing cancers, only to prevent new cancers from developing. Therefore, the ideal time to administer the vaccine is before exposure to the infection. Adolescents are obviously an important group to vaccinate against.

Text Box: Gardasil TM is indicated in girls and women age 9-26. Two follow-up doses are also needed at two and six months. Does the vaccine have any adverse effects? Gardasil TM is generally well tolerated. There appears to be no serious side effects. The most common side effect is brief soreness at the injection site For more information please contact your health professional or visit: www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/default.htm www.gardasil.com/