RotaTeq Liquid: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

RotaTeq Liquid is an oral vaccine given to infants and young children to help prevent gastroenteritis (severe diarrhea and vomiting) caused by rotavirus infection. It contains five live rotavirus strains made from human and animal sources. The vaccine is given as a series of oral doses in early infancy, not as an injection.

What is RotaTeq Liquid

RotaTeq is the brand name for rotavirus vaccine, live (oral), pentavalent, a viral vaccine belonging to the class of viral vaccines. It is an oral vaccine given to infants and young children to help prevent gastroenteritis (severe diarrhea and vomiting) caused by rotavirus infection. It contains five live strains of rotavirus made from both human and animal sources.

RotaTeq Liquid uses

• Helps prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting) in infants and young children

Benefits of RotaTeq Liquid

• Helps protect infants against rotavirus gastroenteritis.
• Reduces the risk of severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus.
• Helps prevent dehydration and hospitalization related to severe rotavirus infection.
• Stimulates the immune system to develop protection against several important rotavirus strains.
• Is given orally, so no injection is required.
• Provides strong protection against severe rotavirus disease during infancy.

How RotaTeq Liquid works

The vaccine exposes the child to a small amount of live rotavirus, which causes the immune system to make antibodies that help protect against gastroenteritis from the most common types of rotavirus.

RotaTeq Liquid dosage

RotaTeq is given by mouth (oral liquid), not injected. It is given as a series of doses spaced weeks apart, usually starting between 6 and 12 weeks of age and completed by a certain age set by your doctor. It can be given without regard to food, liquid, or breast milk. If the infant spits out or regurgitates most of the dose, the dose is generally not replaced and the remaining doses continue as scheduled. The child should receive the same brand of rotavirus vaccine for all doses. RotaTeq can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines. Wash hands thoroughly after changing diapers, especially in the days after vaccination.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral solution (liquid) in a pre-filled squeezable dosing tube

Side effects of RotaTeq Liquid

Common

• Ear infection
• Fussiness or crying
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Wheezing, cough
• Runny nose, sore throat
• Upper respiratory tract infection

Serious

• Allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Intussusception (bowel blockage): severe stomach pain, severe or ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, bloody stools, high fever
• Seizure
• Ear pain or drainage from the ear
• Chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath
• Pain or burning with urination
• High fever, redness of skin or eyes, swollen hands, peeling skin rash, chapped or cracked lips (possible Kawasaki disease)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not give RotaTeq to a child with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) or a history of intussusception (a type of bowel blockage).
• Do not give RotaTeq if the child has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a rotavirus vaccine before, has had intussusception, or has SCID.
• Tell the doctor about conditions like HIV/AIDS, current stomach illness or diarrhea, congenital stomach disorders, recent stomach surgery, cancer or blood disease, recent use of immune-weakening drugs, recent blood transfusion, or latex allergy, as the vaccine may need to be delayed or not given.
• For up to 15 days after vaccination, the vaccine virus could spread to people with weak immune systems who have close contact with the child.
• The vaccine has been linked to intussusception, a serious bowel blockage, which has led to hospitalization, surgery, or in some cases death.
• RotaTeq must never be given as an injection - it is for oral use only.
• RotaTeq contains sucrose, so children with rare hereditary sugar intolerances should not receive this vaccine.
• RotaTeq is only given to infants, so there is no information on use during pregnancy. The vaccine can be given without regard to breastfeeding, and there are no restrictions on breast milk before or after vaccination. 
• No specific kidney-related dose adjustment is required; infants with significant underlying illness should be assessed by their healthcare professional before vaccination. No specific liver-related dose adjustment is required. 
• There is no relevant interaction with alcohol because RotaTeq is given to infants. Driving is not relevant, since this vaccine is only given to infants.

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F).
• Keep the dosing tube in the original packaging to protect it from light.
• Do not freeze; discard the vaccine if it has been frozen.
• Maintain the recommended cold chain during storage and transport.
• Once removed from refrigeration, use promptly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep securely stored and out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if the child shows signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call the doctor right away if the child has severe stomach pain, severe or ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, bloody stools, or high fever, as these can be signs of a serious bowel blockage (intussusception).
• Call the doctor right away for a seizure, ear pain or drainage, chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, painful urination, or high fever with skin/eye redness, swollen hands, or peeling rash.
• Call the doctor or go to the emergency department right away for bad vomiting, bad diarrhea, severe stomach pain, or blood in the stool, even if it has been several weeks since the last dose, as these may signal a serious bowel problem.

Alternatives

• Rotasiil
• Rotavac
• Rotarix