Diphtheria/Tetanus/Acellular Pertussis/Hepatitis/Polio Vaccine (By injection)
dif-THEER-ee-a TOX-oyd, ad-SORBD, TET-a-nus TOX-oyd, per-TUS-iss VAX-een, a-SELL-yoo-lar, hep-a-TYE-tis B VAX-een re-KOM-bin-ant, POE-lee-oh VYE-rus VAX-een, in-AK-ti-vated
Given to babies and young children to prevent diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and polio.
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine (also known as DTP vaccine) combined with hepatitis B and poliovirus vaccine (also known as HepB and IPV) is a combination immunizing agent used to prevent illness caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and poliovirus. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases. This vaccine is given only to infants and children who are 6 weeks to 6 years of age, and is given before the child’s 7th birthday.
This vaccine combines five agents into one vaccine. In order to complete the series, you must get three injections of this vaccine at separate intervals. Because there are many different diseases you will need to be vaccinated against, make sure to follow your doctor’s directions about your vaccination schedule.
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications is greater in very young children and the elderly.
Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a very 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% of cases. The disease continues to occur almost exclusively among people who do not get vaccinated or do not have enough protection from previous vaccines.
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Hepatitis B infection is a major cause of serious liver diseases, including liver cancer. You get hepatitis B by being exposed to someone else’s body fluids. Pregnant women who have hepatitis B infection or are carriers of hepatitis B virus can give the disease to their babies when they are born. These babies often suffer serious long-term illnesses from the disease. People who have the virus can give it to others without them knowing it.
Polio is a very serious infection that causes paralysis of the muscles, including the muscles that enable you to walk and breathe. A polio infection may leave a person unable to breathe without the help of a breathing machine. It may also leave a person unable to walk without leg braces or being confined to a wheelchair. There is no cure for polio.
This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
This vaccine is given only to children from the age of 6 weeks old up to the child’s 7th birthday.
Your doctor will prescribe your child’s exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This vaccine is given as a shot into one of the muscles.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give your child this vaccine.
This vaccine is usually given as a series of 3 shots about 6 to 8 weeks apart. Ask your child’s doctor about your child’s schedule, because it could be different.
If a dose is missed:
It is important for your child to receive all of the shots in this series. Try to keep all scheduled appointments.
If your child must miss a shot, make another appointment with the doctor as soon as possible.
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 your doctor knows if your child is also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®). Tell your child’s doctor if your child has recently received any kind of immune globulin.
When Not To Use
This vaccine should not be given to a child who has had an allergic reaction to Pediarixâ„¢ vaccine, to individual diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, or polio vaccines, or to other combination vaccines such as DTP or DTaP vaccines. Do not give this vaccine to a child who has had an allergic reaction to yeast, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or who has nervous system problems or seizures that are not under control. This vaccine should not be given to a child who has had seizures or collapsed within 7 days after receiving a pertussis vaccine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if your child has had a severe reaction to previous vaccinations of any kind. A severe reaction could be collapsing, crying constantly for longer than 3 hours, having a fever over 105 degrees, not being able to move (Guillain-Barre syndrome), or having seizures.
Make sure your child’s doctor knows if your child has bleeding problems, nervous system problems (such as seizures), or an allergy to latex rubber.
Tell your child’s doctor about all other vaccinations your child has had, especially if those vaccinations were part of a series. This vaccine can be used to finish some series of vaccinations, but not all. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has ever received medicine for hepatitis B.
Tell your child’s doctor if your child is sick or has an infection (such as a cold or the flu). The doctor may want to wait until your child is well before giving the vaccination.
Children who have problems with their immune systems may not be fully protected by this vaccine. Your child may have immune system problems if he or she is receiving chemotherapy for cancer, has HIV infection or AIDS, or is using a high dose of a steroid medicine such as prednisone. Because there may be some benefit, your child’s doctor may still want to give the vaccine.
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
Crying constantly for 3 hours or longer.
Fever higher than 105 degrees F.
Seizures, passing out.
Sudden or severe weakness or numbness.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Low fever.
Mild fussiness, restlessness, or crying.
Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.
Sleeping more than usual.
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
Pediarix
There may be other brand names for this medicine.