covishield vaccine - ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant) (NA) medicine

covishield vaccine - Uses, Price, Side Effects & Substitutes

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๐Ÿญ Serum Institute Of India Ltd ๐Ÿ“ฆ Varies by brand ๐Ÿ’Š Allopathy ๐Ÿ“… Updated: Jul 2, 2026
๐Ÿ“‹ Prescription Required ๐Ÿ’Š Generic Available
Medically Reviewed
SaathiMed Expert Panel | Jul 02, 2026

What is covishield vaccine used for?

Covishield Vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant)) is used to treat VACCINES. It contains ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant) (NA), which The vaccine uses a replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector to deliver. Always consult your doctor before use. Take as prescribed.

  • Generic Name: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant)
  • Manufacturer: Serum Institute Of India Ltd
  • Form: Allopathy
  • Pregnancy Category: A
  • Prescription Required: Yes
๐Ÿ’ก Did You Know? India has the highest number of USFDA-compliant plants outside the USA.

๐Ÿ’Š covishield vaccine Uses & Benefits

Active immunization against COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Off-label uses: Booster doses in immunocompromised individuals, Use in children (if authorized)

๐Ÿ“‹ Drug Information

Generic Name(s)ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant)
Brand NameCovishield Vaccine
ManufacturerSerum Institute Of India Ltd
Packaging / FormVaries by brand (Allopathy)
Therapeutic ClassVACCINES
Action ClassViral Vector Vaccine
Route of AdministrationIntramuscular injection (deltoid muscle)
StorageStore at 2ยฐC to 8ยฐC; do not freeze. Protect from light.
Shelf LifeAs per manufacturer

๐Ÿ”ฌ Pharmacology (PK/PD)

Pharmacokinetics

AbsorptionNot applicable; administered intramuscularly.
DistributionNot extensively studied; vaccine components remain locally at injection site and draining lymph nodes.
Protein BindingNot applicable.
MetabolismDegraded by cellular proteases.
Half-LifeNot applicable; vaccine components are cleared over days to weeks.
ExcretionNot applicable.
BioavailabilityNot applicable; administered intramuscularly.
Onset of ActionImmune response begins within 2 weeks after first dose.
Peak Plasma TimeNot applicable; peak immune response typically 2-4 weeks after second dose.
Duration of ActionProtection lasts at least 6 months; booster doses recommended.

How It Works

The vaccine uses a replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene, inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses.

Mechanism Steps

1Replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector carrying SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene is injected intramuscularly.
2Vector enters host cells and delivers the spike protein gene to the nucleus.
3Host cells transcribe and translate the gene, producing spike protein.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Take covishield vaccine

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

โš ๏ธ Side Effects of covishield vaccine

โœ… Common Side Effects

  • Injection site pain
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Myalgia
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea

๐Ÿšจ Serious Side Effects

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Myocarditis

โš ๏ธ Rare Side Effects

  • Capillary leak syndrome
  • Transverse myelitis
  • Anaphylaxis

Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Drug Interactions

โš ๏ธ DrugSeverityEffect
Immunosuppressants Major Reduced vaccine efficacy
Corticosteroids Major Reduced immune response
Methotrexate Moderate Possible reduced antibody response
NSAIDs Minor May reduce fever response; no significant interaction

๐Ÿšจ Major Interactions

  • Immunosuppressants
  • Corticosteroids
  • Antimetabolites
  • Alkylating agents
  • TNF inhibitors

โšก Moderate Interactions

  • Methotrexate
  • Azathioprine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Mycophenolate
  • Rituximab

โ„น๏ธ Minor Interactions

  • NSAIDs
  • Antihistamines
  • Paracetamol

๐Ÿท Alcohol Interaction

No known interaction.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Warnings

๐Ÿšซ Contraindications

History of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or any component of the vaccine.

๐Ÿ“Š Monitoring Parameters

Monitor for immediate allergic reactions (15-30 minutes post-vaccination); observe for adverse events.

๐Ÿคฑ Lactation Safety

Likely safe; vaccine components not excreted in milk in significant amounts.

๐Ÿ’Š Overdose Management

No specific treatment; monitor for adverse reactions and provide supportive care.

โฐ Missed Dose

Administer as soon as possible; do not restart the series. Follow recommended interval for second dose.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€โš•๏ธ Reviewed by Expert

SaathiMed Expert Panel

MD, PhD - Pharmacology

Reviewed: Jul 02, 2026

๐Ÿ”— View Profile

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