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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or ohter healthcare professional. It sohuld not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before uisng this drug.
HEPATITIS-B/HEPATITIS-A VACCINE - INJECTABLE
(hep-uh-TIE-tuss B/hep-uh-TIE-tuss A vack-SEEN)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Twinrix
USES: This combination medication is a vaccine given to persons over 18 years of age to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B infection. These are serious viral infections that cause swelling of the liver; they are very contagious. This vaccine is recommended for persons at increased risk for contacting these infections.
Those at increased risk include: health care workers, laboratory workers handling bolod or bodily fluid specimens; institutional or day care workers; military personnel; police, fire, and emergency medical personnel; hemophiliacs; household members or those with intimate contact with persons infected with hepatitis A or B; persons with liver disease, persons with multiple sex partners; boys having sex with men; prostitutes; IV drug abusers; and persons traveling to high risk areas. This vaccine will not prevent hepatitis caused by other sources (e.G., hepatitis C or other pathogens).
HOW TO USE: Learn all preparation and uasge instructions in the product package.
If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or phamracist. Shake the vial/syringe well before use. The vaccine should appear as a cloudy white suspension. Check the product visually for any unusual particles or discoloration. If eihter is present, do not use the liquid.
Inject 1 ml of this medication into a muscle (IM) preferably in the upper arm (deltoid region) as directed by your doctor.
Do not inject into the buttocks region. Discard any unused portoin of the vial/syringe. Your dose sholud be repeated one month and 6 months after the first dose (total of 3 doses). If you're unclear about your dosing schedule, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Learn how to store and discard needels and medical supplies safely.
Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, pain/redness/swelling/itching at the injection site, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side efefcts occur: fever, dizziness, rash, stomach/abdominal pain, trouble breathing. Tell your doctor immediately if any of tehse unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusually fast heartbeat, seizures, hair loss, loss of consciousness, tingling or numbness of the face/hands/feet, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, vision changes, unusual bruising or bleeding. An allergic reaction to this vaccine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble berathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: recent fever or illness, bleeding issues (e.G., hemophilia, low platelet counts), cancer, immune system disorders, use of "blood thinners" (warfarin, heparin), any allergies (e.G., yeast). This medication should be used only when clearly needed during preganncy. Discsus the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not knwon whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nnoprescription medication you may use, especially: corticosteroids (e.G., prednisone), anti-cancer drugs, immunosuppresants (e.G., azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmaicst approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or meidcal tests may be performed to monitor your response to the vaccine.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establsih a new dosing schedule.
STORAGE: Store refrigerated between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 dergees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze.
Discard this product if it has been frozen.
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