Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (By injection)
HUE-man pap-ah-LOH-mah-VYE-rus VAX-een
Helps prevent genital warts and cancer of the anus, cervix, vagina, or vulva, which may be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Drug classes
Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection caused by human papillomavirus. It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.
HPV infection is usually a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is easily spread by having sex with an infected person. This vaccine helps prevent anal, cervical, vulvar, or vaginal cancer; genital warts; and abnormal or precancerous diseases of the anus, cervix, vagina, and vulva in girls and women 9 to 26 years of age. This vaccine also helps prevent abnormal or precancerous diseases of the anus, anal cancer, and genital warts in boys and men 9 to 26 years of age. This vaccine will not treat these diseases or protect you against diseases that are caused by other HPV types. The vaccine will also not protect you against other sexually transmitted diseases that are not caused by HPV.
This vaccine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
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.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This vaccine must be given as 3 doses. After the first dose, two more doses are given 1 or 2 months and 6 months later, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Missed dose: This vaccine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss your 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 medicines can affect how this vaccine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any treatment that weakens the immune system, such as cancer medicine, radiation treatment, or a steroid.
When Not To Use
This vaccine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to human papillomavirus vaccine or to yeast.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a weak immune system or are allergic to latex.
This vaccine will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases that are not caused by HPV.
You still need to see your doctor for routine screening tests for anal or cervical cancer even after you receive this vaccine.
You may feel faint, lightheaded, or dizzy right after you receive this vaccine. Your doctor may ask you to wait 15 minutes before standing.
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
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild fever
Pain, redness, itching, or swelling where the shot is given
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
Cervarix, Gardasil, Gardasil 9
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
