Menactra

Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA on May 11, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

This article describes Menactra’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of Menactra.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Menactra for certain conditions. Approved uses for Menactra are described below.

Use for prevention of meningococcal disease

Doctors may prescribe Menactra vaccine to help prevent meningococcal disease caused by certain types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It’s used for this purpose in people ages 9 months to 55 years.

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by infection with Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These illnesses include:

• meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
• septicemia (blood infection)

Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Meningococcal disease can be severe and even fatal.

Various types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can cause meningococcal disease. The most common are types A, B, C, W, X, and Y. Menactra vaccine helps prevent illnesses caused by types A, C, W, and Y. It doesn’t prevent illnesses caused by types B or X.

Menactra may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Menactra and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Menactra’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for Menactra.

* To view Menactra’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Menactra are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Menactra’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for Menactra.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Menactra vaccine’s mild side effects include:

• reactions at the injection site, such as pain, swelling, hardening, or skin discoloration
• reduced appetite
• drowsiness or tiredness
• headache
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view Menactra’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Menactra” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Menactra are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Menactra’s serious side effects, see the prescribing information* for Menactra.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Menactra’s serious side effects include:

• fainting right after receiving Menactra, which could result in injury
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view Menactra’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Menactra” section below.

The dosage of Menactra your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should receive.

Receiving Menactra

Menactra vaccine is administered by a healthcare professional as an injection into a muscle.

Your doctor will explain how Menactra will be given to you and where you’ll receive it. They’ll also tell you how many doses of the vaccine are recommended and when you should receive them. Different vaccine schedules are recommended for different age groups.

Below, you’ll find information about Menactra’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Menactra

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you receive Menactra, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Menactra” section below.

Warnings for Menactra

Some people should not receive Menactra, and others should receive it cautiously.

Menactra could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Menactra is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Menactra, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Menactra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Menactra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Menactra. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Menactra, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Menactra

Information about Menactra and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Menactra and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Menactra should be prescribed during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine.

A pregnancy registry is available for people who receive Menactra while pregnant. Pregnancy registries help doctors determine the best treatment options for pregnant people. You can learn more about  Menactra’s pregnancy registry by calling 800-822-2463.

Menactra and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Menactra should be prescribed while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Menactra.

Is Menactra similar to Menveo or MenQuadfi?

Yes, Menactra is similar to Menveo and MenQuadfi, which are also vaccines. All three are used to prevent meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis types A, C, W, and Y. (In fact, they’re often called MenACWY vaccines.) These vaccines can cause some of the same side effects.

Each vaccine is approved for use in different age groups as follows:

• Menactra: people ages 9 months to 55 years
• Menveo: people ages 2 months to 55 years
• MenQuadfi: people ages 2 years and older

Your doctor will recommend which of these vaccines is suitable for you.

How does Menactra work? And how long does it take to start working?

Menactra helps prevent meningococcal disease caused by certain types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It works by introducing proteins from these bacteria into your body. This triggers your immune system (your body’s defense system) to make antibodies that recognize the bacteria. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system uses to identify and attack foreign substances.

After you receive the vaccine, the antibodies your immune system makes stay in your body. Then, if you’re exposed to the bacteria in the future, the antibodies help your immune system attack the bacteria. This helps prevent the bacteria from causing meningococcal diseases, such as meningitis.

After you receive Menactra, it usually takes about 1–2 weeks for your immune system to make enough antibodies to protect you from meningococcal disease.

To learn more about how Menactra works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for Menactra by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for Menactra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes Menactra’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Menactra or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• When should I receive a MenACWY vaccine?
• Can I receive Menactra at the same time as other vaccines?
• How long will Menactra protect me against meningococcal disease?

• Menactra, meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine, solution for intramuscular injection. (2019). https://www.vaccineshoppe.com/medias/Prescribing-Information?context=bWFzdGVyfHJvb3R8OTA1NDJ8YXBwbGljYXRpb24vcGRmfGgzNC9oNTYvODgxOTgxNDcyNzcxMC5wZGZ8Y2FmYzdkYjczOWI2MDdlYWVhM2NmMzcwYmYwMzc1NzIyMzEwYTQxYTJhYmJmMmVmNjU4MTc0YWM4M2VmYTIwZA

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.