Type of medicine: vaccine
Generic and brand names: haemophilus b conjugate/Hepatitis B vaccine, injection; Comvax
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to protect children from 6 weeks to 15 months old against haemophilus b (Hib) disease and hepatitis B virus.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if your child has ever had:
If your child is severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, wait until your child recovers before getting this vaccine. If your child has a mild cold or other mild infection, he or she may still be able to get the shot. Tell your healthcare provider if your child currently has a fever or infection of any kind.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby.
The shots are given by your healthcare provider. Generally, 3 shots are given at 2, 4, and 12 to 15 months of age. If a dose is missed, get the missed shot as soon as possible. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.
There may be temporary redness, tenderness, and swelling where the shot was given. Also, this medicine may cause a mild fever of 100 to 102°F. If the fever continues after 2 or 3 days, or gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as the body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if your child has any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing); seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever; fast heartbeat; collapse; fainting; loss of alertness; crying or screaming for more than 3 hours (in children).
Other: Diarrhea; vomiting; mild fever; redness, warmth, or tenderness where the shot was given; tiredness; loss of appetite; irritability.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if your child is taking:
Keep a record of all vaccines received and when they were received.
If you are not sure if your child's medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your child's medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that your child takes. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat your child about all the products your child is taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
