Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, injection; M-M-R II

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (a shot) to provide protection against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

How do I use it?

This shot is given by your health care provider. The medicine is most effective when given before exposure to the disease.

Most children and some adults may need more than 1 shot. It is usually given to adults and children over 15 months old.

What should my health care provider know before I receive this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• a reaction to other vaccine shots
• an allergic reaction to eggs
• cancer (or are now being treated for cancer with medicine or radiation)
• tuberculosis (TB)
• HIV or AIDS
• convulsions or a head injury
• a blood transfusion.

Tell your health care provider if you have any infection with fever.

Measles shots should be given at least 1 month before or after other types of vaccines. Tell your health care provider if you have recently had any other shots.

Females of childbearing age: This vaccine is not given to pregnant women. Be sure to tell the health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not become pregnant for 3 months after you have this vaccine.

What should I watch out for?

If you have a serious reaction (hives, swelling in your mouth or throat, trouble breathing), contact your health care provider or get medical care right away.

This medicine may cause a brief burning or stinging at the site of the shot. There may also be some redness or tenderness.

This medicine may cause a brief fever of 101° to 103°F (38° to 39°C). If the fever doesn't go away or goes above 103°F (39°C), contact your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Hives, swelling in your mouth or throat, trouble breathing, high fever (over 103°F), bruising or purple spots on the skin, severe headache or stiff neck, unusual weakness.

Other: Low fever, rash, headache, sore mouth or throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given, sore muscles or joints, sore testicles.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also have an effect. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• arthritis medicines such as leflunomide (Arava), infliximab (Remicade), or methotrexate
• cortisone
• immune serum globulin
• interferon
• medicines for organ transplant such as sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf)
• vitamin A

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.