Rotarix and Vivitrol

• Generic Name: rotavirus vaccine
• Dosage Forms: oral applicator
• Other Brand Names: Rotarix, Rotateq, RotaShield

Rotarix (rotavirus oral vaccine) contains up to five strains of rotavirus. It is made from both human and animal sources.

Infection with rotavirus can affect the digestive system of babies and young children, causing severe stomach or intestinal illness.

Rotarix vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in children.

Rotarix works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Rotarix is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 24 weeks old. The first dose should be administered to infants beginning at 6 weeks of age. There should be an interval of at least 4 weeks between the first and second dose. The 2-dose series should be completed by 24 weeks of age.

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

• Generic Name: naltrexone
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Vivitrol, Depade, ReVia

Vivitrol (naltrexone) blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Vivitrol is used as part of a treatment program for drug or alcohol dependence.

Vivitrol injection is used to prevent relapse in people who became dependent on opioid medicine and then stopped using it. Naltrexone can help keep you from feeling a "need" to use the opioid.

Vivitrol injection is also used to treat alcoholism by reducing your urge to drink alcohol. This may help you drink less or stop drinking altogether. Naltrexone will not decrease the effects of alcohol you recently consumed. You should not be drinking at the time you receive your first Vivitrol injection.

Naltrexone is not a cure for drug addiction or alcoholism.