Hepatitis B Vaccine, Injection hep-ah-TY-tiss B vak-SEEN

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: hepatitis B vaccine, injection; Engerix-B; Recombivax HB

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to prevent infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).

The HBV vaccine is recommended for infants and children. It is also recommended for people at risk for HBV infection, such as:

• workers who handle live viruses, human waste, or sewage
• healthcare workers, public safety workers, prison inmates, or people who work in setting where they might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids
• people in the military
• people who travel to countries where HBV is common
• people who get blood transfusions or dialysis
• people who are household contacts of an infected person or have unprotected sex with an infected person
• people who have kidney or liver disease
• people who have HIV infection
• people who inject illegal drugs

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to yeast or latex
• a bleeding disorder, or if you currently take an anticoagulant (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming) such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• heart disease
• lung disease
• multiple sclerosis
• vaccinations for hepatitis B in the past

If you are severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other mild infection, you may still be able to get your shot. Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection of any kind. Also tell your provider if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider as a series of shots. You must complete the entire 3 or 4 shot series so that you will be fully protected against HBV. Your healthcare provider will tell you how many shots you will need and when you should get them. Keep all your appointments for shots to be sure that you are protected. If a shot is missed or you get behind schedule, get the missed shot as soon as possible.

This vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What should I watch out for?

It is very important to get all shots on schedule to provide protection from hepatitis B virus infection. Keep all appointments for injections and check-ups.

These injections may cause tenderness, pain, irritation on the skin, or a lump where you had the shot. If these symptoms don't go away in a couple of days, contact your healthcare provider.

These injections may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or weak. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have 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).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, body rash, joint pain or stiffness, vision changes.

Other: Nausea; vomiting; dizziness; lightheadedness; sweating; irritability; loss of appetite; diarrhea; runny nose; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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 you are taking:

• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral), glatiramer (Copaxone), mycophenolate (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• corticosteroids such as cortisone dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristocort)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are 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.