Magnesium hydroxide and Rotavirus Vaccine Live Oral

• Generic Name: magnesium hydroxide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Ex-Lax Milk of Magnesia, Milk of Magnesia, Pedia-Lax Chewable, Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Concentrated Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium hydroxide reduces stomach acid, and increases water in the intestines which may induce bowel movements.

Magnesium hydroxide is used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation.

Magnesium hydroxide is also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn.

Magnesium hydroxide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: rotavirus vaccine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Rotarix, Rotateq, RotaShield

Rotarix (RV1): Prevention of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus type G1 and non-G1 types (G3, G4, G9).

RotaTeq (RV5): Prevention of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus types G1, G2, G3, G4, and G9.

Prior to widespread use of rotavirus vaccine, rotavirus was the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Worldwide, rotavirus gastroenteritis caused approximately 500,000 deaths each year in children <5 years of age. In the US, rotavirus gastroenteritis was estimated to cause up to 70,000 hospitalizations and up to 60–70 deaths each year in children <5 years of age.

After rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq) was licensed in the US in 2006, a marked decrease in incidence of rotavirus disease and substantial changes in epidemiology of the disease occurred. A second rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) was licensed in the US in 2008. Surveillance data collected by the CDC National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) indicated that the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 rotavirus seasons were shorter, had later onset, and had substantially fewer reports of positive rotavirus test results compared with the 2000–2006 seasons. Additional NREVSS data indicated that the national decline in rotavirus detection ranged from 58–90% in each of the 7 postvaccine years (2007–2014) compared with all 7 prevaccine years (2000–2006) combined and there was a biennial pattern of rotavirus activity with alternating years of lower or greater activity. Some evidence indicates that rotavirus vaccination may provide clinical benefits to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals by reducing overall rotavirus transmission (i.e., herd immunity).

USPHS Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and AAP recommend that all infants be vaccinated against rotavirus gastroenteritis beginning at 6 weeks of age, unless contraindicated. (See Contraindications under Cautions.) These experts state give first dose at 6 through 14 weeks of age (no later than 14 weeks 6 days of age) and complete vaccination series by 8 months 0 days of age.

ACIP and AAP do not state a preference for Rotarix or RotaTeq vaccine for primary immunization in infants. Efficacy and safety of the vaccines are similar; however, dosage and dosing schedule (i.e., number and timing of doses) differ depending on which vaccine is used. (See Dosage under Dosage and Administration.)

Data not available regarding efficacy and safety of rotavirus vaccine for postexposure prophylaxis after exposure to natural rotavirus.