Hepatitis B Vaccine (By injection)
hep-a-TYE-tis B VAX-een re-KOM-bin-ant
Prevents infection caused by hepatitis B virus.
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant is used to prevent infection by the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.
Hepatitis B vaccine recombinant is made without any human blood or blood products or any other substances of human origin. It cannot give you the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HBV infection is a major cause of serious liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, and a type of liver cancer called primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
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.
Immunization against hepatitis B disease is recommended for all newborn babies, infants, children, and adolescents up to 19 years of age. It is also recommended for adults who live in areas that have a high rate of hepatitis B disease or who may be at increased risk of infection from hepatitis B virus. These adults include:
Sexually active homosexual and bisexual males, including those with HIV infection.
Sexually active heterosexual persons with multiple partners.
Persons who may be exposed to the virus by means of blood, blood products, or human bites, such as health care workers, employees in medical facilities, patients and staff of live-in facilities and daycare programs for the developmentally disabled, morticians and embalmers, police and fire department personnel, and military personnel.
Persons who have kidney disease or who undergo blood dialysis for kidney disease.
Persons with blood clotting disorders who receive transfusions of clotting-factor concentrates.
Household and sexual contacts of HBV carriers.
Persons in areas with high risk of HBV infection [in the population], such as Alaskan Eskimos, Pacific Islanders, Haitian and Indochinese immigrants, and refugees from areas that have a high rate of hepatitis B disease; persons accepting orphans or adoptees from these areas; and travelers to these areas.
Persons who use illegal injection drugs.
Prisoners.
This vaccine is available only from your doctor or other authorized health care professional.
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.
This vaccine is usually given as 3 doses, but sometime 4 doses are needed.
Missed dose: It is important that you receive all doses at the right times. If you miss a scheduled shot, call your doctor to make another appointment 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.
Some foods and medicines can affect how hepatitis B vaccine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Cancer medicine Corticosteroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)When Not To Use
This vaccine may not be right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to hepatitis B vaccine, or if you are allergic to yeast.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a weak immune system (such as from a disease or medicine the suppresses the immune system). Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex or if you are on dialysis.
This vaccine may not protect you against hepatitis B infection if you are already infected with the virus at the time you receive the shot.
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
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Lightheadedness or fainting
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Headache, dizziness
Pain, redness, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given
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
Engerix-B, Engerix-B Pediatric, Recombivax HB, Recombivax HB Pediatric-Adolescent, Recombivax HB Pediatric/Adolescent
There may be other brand names for this medicine.