Abhayrab

Abhayrab is a lyophilized, purified, inactivated Rabies vaccine that contain inactivated rabies virus (L. Pasteur 2061 Vero Strain propagated in Vero cells). Thiomersal is used as preservative.

Rabies is an acute viral disease which causes fatal encephalomyelitis in virtually all the warm blooded animals including man. The virus can be found in the wild and some domestic animals and it is transmitted through their saliva (i.e. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membrane) to other animals and humans.

Indications: Abhayrab is indicated in people who are at higher risk of developing rabies. It is widely used to prevent and treat rabies.

Dose administration:

For Intramuscular Vaccination:

Pre-Exposure: 0.5 mL or 1.0 mL of reconstituted vaccine (as per diluent supplied) on days 0, 7 and 21 or 28. Only people, whose occupation puts them at continual or frequent risk of exposure, should receive periodic booster doses whenever the rabies virus neutralizing antibody titre drops below 0.5 IU/mL.

Post-Exposure: For a new case: 0.5 mL or 1.0 mL of reconstituted vaccine (as per diluent supplied) on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.

Rabies immunoglobulin should be administered preferably as soon as possible after initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis in case of Category III bites but not beyond 7 days from the first dose of vaccination.

For previously immunized individuals: One dose (0.5 mL or 1.0 mL, as per diluent supplied) of reconstituted vaccine intramuscularly at one site on day 0 and day 3. The administration of Rabies immunoglobulin is not required in such cases.

Adverse effects:

Abhayrab may cause the following adverse effects

• Mild pain, rash, and redness at the site of injection
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Discomfort

In rare cases, abhayrab may cause high fever, arthritis, lymphadenopathy, and anaphylaxis.