Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis/Tetanus Booster Vaccine (Tdap) (By injection)
ree-DOOST dif-THEER-ee-a TOX-oyd, TET-a-nus TOX-oyd, per-TUS-iss VAX-een, a-SELL-yoo-lar
Protects against infections caused by tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, or pertussis (whooping cough). This is a booster vaccine.
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis booster vaccine (also known as Tdap) is a combination immunizing agent given by injection to protect against infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough). This vaccine is given to children 10 years of age and older, and to adults who have already been given this vaccine in the past. The vaccine will “boost” or increase the protection that the child or adult had from an earlier dose.
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater in very young children and in the elderly.
Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a serious illness that causes convulsions (seizures) and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 percent of cases.
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis also can cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Children 10 years of age and older, and adults, may need an additional immunization called a booster against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Adults and teenagers should receive Tdap instead of the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) injection if it has been 10 years or more since their last tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Tdap vaccine is recommended for adults who are in close contact with a baby who is less than a year old and for adults who work in the healthcare field.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases that can cause life-threatening illnesses. Although some serious side effects can occur after a dose of Tdap (usually from the pertussis vaccine part), this rarely happens. The chance of your child catching one of these diseases, and being permanently injured or dying as a result, is much greater than the chance of your child getting a serious side effect from the Tdap vaccine.
This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
You may receive other vaccines at the same time as this one, but in a different body area. You should receive patient instructions for all of the vaccines. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure the doctor knows if you are receiving a treatment or medicine that weakens your immune system. This includes radiation treatment, steroid medicines (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), or cancer medicines.
When Not To Use
You should not receive this vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to the separate or combined tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine. You should not receive this vaccine if you have had seizures, mental changes, or any other serious reaction within 7 days after you received a pertussis vaccine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have epilepsy, a weak immune system, or a history of a stroke. Tell your doctor if you are sick or have a fever.
Tell your doctor about any reaction you had after you received a vaccine. This includes fainting, seizures, a fever over 105 degrees F, or severe redness or swelling where the shot was given. Tell your doctor if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome after you received a vaccine with tetanus.
Call your doctor right away if you faint or have vision changes, numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, or feet, or a seizure after you receive this vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to latex. The syringes may contain dry natural latex rubber.
This vaccine will not treat an active infection. If you have a diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis infection, you will need medicine to treat the infection.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Changes in vision
Fever over 105 degrees F
Lightheadedness or fainting
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Seizures
Sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
Severe pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
Tiredness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Adacel, Boostrix
There may be other brand names for this medicine.