Inactivated Rabies Virus Vaccine
Consumer Medicine Information

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common questions about Rabipur. It does not contain all the information that is known about Rabipur. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.

What RABIPUR is used for

RABIPUR is a vaccine used to help prevent rabies infection in people who either
have been, or
are at risk of being bitten, licked or scratched by an animal infected with rabies virus.
Rabies is a very serious infection. The rabies virus attacks the nerves and the brain. Rabies infection can be fatal if not treated as early as possible.

How it works

RABIPUR works by causing your body to protect itself against rabies. The body makes substances that fight the rabies virus. They are called antibodies and circulate in the blood. If the rabies virus gets into someone who has been vaccinated against rabies, the antibodies kill the virus before it can cause damage.
After vaccination your body takes several weeks to develop enough antibodies to successfully fight rabies.
For vaccination against rabies you need a course of 3 to 5 injections.
Further booster injections of rabies vaccine may be needed every few years to ensure enough antibodies are present.
The vaccine will not give you or your child rabies.
The chance of a severe reaction from RABIPUR is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated against rabies may be very serious.

Before you are given RABIPUR

When you or your child must not be given RABIPUR

Do NOT have RABIPUR if you have :
an allergy to RABIPUR or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
However, untreated rabies infection can be fatal. Therefore, even if you may be allergic to an ingredient of this vaccine and you have been bitten or scratched by an animal which has/is thought to have rabies, it is essential to have the rabies vaccine. Your doctor will be able to manage any allergic reaction you may have.
You or your child is suffering from any illness or has a fever
Do not have RABIPUR after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not have RABIPUR if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you or your child should have RABIPUR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you or your child are given RABIPUR

low immunity due to an illness OR treatment with medicines such as corticosteroids, cyclosporin or cancer treatment (including radiation therapy);
a severe allergy to chicken eggs
an allergy to antibiotics, particularly neomycin, chlortetracycline or amphotericin B.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of having RABIPUR during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of having RABIPUR during breastfeeding.

Taking other medicines

RABIPUR and some medicines may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines that lower the body's immunity, such as corticosteroids, cyclosporin or other medicines used to treat cancer (including radiation therapy)
These medicines may be affected by RABIPUR or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of these medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.

How RABIPUR is given

A doctor or nurse gives RABIPUR as an injection (usually into muscle in your upper arm).
RABIPUR should not be injected directly into the skin or a vein.

How much is given

Each injection of rabies vaccine is 1.0mL.
Your doctor will decide how many injections of RABIPUR you will need.

When it is given

"Post exposure":
RABIPUR may be given to people after they have been exposed to rabies infection.
The usual course is 4 to 5 injections, given at intervals over 3 or 4 weeks.
RABIPUR may be given in advance to people at risk of being infected with rabies.
The usual course is 3 injections given at intervals over 3 - 4 weeks.
"Booster Injections":
After two to five years, depending on the circumstances, a booster injection may be needed. Further boosters may be needed every few years.
Follow carefully all your doctor's directions.

If you miss a dose



If you have any concerns, ask your doctor.

After having RABIPUR

Things you or your child must do

Keep an updated record of your vaccinations.
Keep follow-up appointments with your doctor or clinic.
It is important to have your follow-up doses of RABIPUR, and any blood tests, at the correct intervals. This gives the vaccine the best chance of providing protection against rabies and allows the antibody level to be measured.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you or your child do not feel well after having RABIPUR.
RABIPUR may have unwanted side effects. All medicines, including vaccines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You or your child may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
any effects at the injection site such as redness, swelling or pain
generally feeling unwell
flu-like symptoms
increased sweating
swollen glands in the neck or armpit
muscle ache, weakness, joint pain
nausea or vomiting
stomach cramps or pain
These are common side effects of RABIPUR. Mostly these are mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
fast or irregular heartbeat or hot flushes
problems with vision
tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
dizziness or light-headedness
weakness that restricts movement
inability to move or loss of feeling in some parts of the body
signs of allergy, such as itchy pink rash, itchy swellings on the skin (also called hives or nettle rash)
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body such as limbs
difficulty breathing
blue discolouration of the tongue or lips
headache and high-temperatures associated with hallucinations, confusion, paralysis of part or all of the body, disturbances of behaviour, speech and eye movements, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.
All of these side effects are very rare.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything related to RABIPUR that makes you or your child feel unwell.


RABIPUR is usually stored in the doctor's surgery or clinic, or at the pharmacy. However, if you need to store RABIPUR:
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Keep RABIPUR in the original pack until it is time for it to be given.
Keep it in the refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze RABIPUR.
Freezing can lower the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Product description

What RABIPUR looks like

Each pack of RABIPUR contains
one vial of vaccine powder
one ampoule of sterile water for injections
one disposable syringe


Active ingredients:
Other ingredients:
Sodium chloride
Disodium edetate
Monopotassium glutamate
Possible trace amounts: neomycin, chlortetracycline, amphotericin B
Water for Injections
The manufacture of this product includes exposure to bovine derived materials. No evidence exists that any case of vCJD (considered to be the human form of bovine spongiform encephalitis) has resulted from the administration of any vaccine product.


RABIPUR is made by:
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics GmbH
P.O. Box 16 30
D-35006 Marburg


RABIPUR is sponsored in Australia by:
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Limited
Level 4, 436 Johnston Street
Abbotsford, Victoria

Registration number

AUST R 100582

Date of preparation

March 2016
RABIPUR® is a registered trademark of the GSK group of companies
Version 2.0