BioThrax

Generic name:anthrax vaccine [ ANTH-rax-vax-EEN ]
Drug class:Bacterial vaccines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 1, 2021.

What is BioThrax?

BioThrax vaccine is used to help prevent anthrax in adults with a high risk of exposure to the anthrax bacteria in certain work settings, while traveling, or during military service. This vaccine works by exposing you to an antigen protein that causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. BioThrax vaccine does not contain live or killed forms of the bacteria that causes anthrax.

BioThrax will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, BioThrax may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a disease caused by infection with spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis, which occur naturally in soil. These bacteria most often infect animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer, antelope, and other herbivores. Anthrax disease can occur in people who are exposed to an infected animal or other source of anthrax bacteria.

Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions lacking in good veterinary prevention programs, especially in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Southeastern Europe. Although less common, anthrax does occur in the United States among both wild game animals and domestic livestock.

Anthrax is spread to a human through the skin, the stomach, or the lungs. The bacteria can enter the skin through a cut or wound that comes into contact with products from an infected animal (such as meat, wool, hide, or hair). Infection can also occur through the lungs when a person inhales the bacterial spore, or through the stomach when a person eats undercooked meat from an infected animal. Anthrax is a serious disease that can spread quickly throughout the body and it is fatal in a high number of cases, especially when acquired through the lungs.

BioThrax is used to help prevent anthrax disease in adults. Anthrax vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

BioThrax is used before exposure in people who may come into contact with anthrax bacteria in certain work settings, while traveling, or during military service. BioThrax is used together with antibiotics after exposure in people who have already come into contact with anthrax bacteria.

BioThrax works by exposing you to an antigen protein that causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. Anthrax vaccine does not contain live or killed forms of the bacteria that causes anthrax.

Like any vaccine, the anthrax vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

You should not receive BioThrax if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to an anthrax vaccine, or if you have ever had anthrax disease acquired through the skin.

Before receiving BioThrax, tell the doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, or if you have a weak immune system, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, if you are allergic to latex rubber, if you are receiving chemotherapy or rad...