Pronunciation: dif-THEER-ee-ah/TET-ah-nus/aye-SELL-yoo-ler purr-TUSS-uss
Generic Name: Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
Brand Name: Tripedia
Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is used for:
Immunizing children 7 years of age and younger against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is a vaccine. It works by providing long-term protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis by stimulating the body to produce antibodies that neutralize the bacterial or their toxins that cause these conditions.
Do NOT use Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, including thimerosal or gelatin
- you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) or neurologic reaction to any previous dose of this or a similar vaccine
- you had a decreased level of consciousness, had prolonged seizures, or have been in a coma within 7 days of receiving any pertussis-containing vaccine
- you have a progressive neurologic disorder including infantile spasms, uncontrolled epilepsy (seizures), or decreasing level of consciousness or coma
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, especially latex
- if you have a fever, infection, illness, brain disease, bleeding disorder, or seizures, or you are receiving radiation therapy
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anticoagulants (eg, heparin, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
- Immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), antimetabolites (eg, methotrexate), alkylating agents (eg, cyclophosphamide), or cytotoxic drugs (eg, dactinomycin) because they may decrease the effectiveness of Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine:
Use Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is usually administered as an injection at the doctor's office, hospital, or a clinic. The injection is only given intramuscularly (IM, into a muscle), usually in the upper arm or upper thigh. This vaccine is administered as indicated in the recommended immunization schedule for infants and children. The vaccine schedule is started in infants between 6 weeks and 2 months of age and should be completed before the child's seventh birthday. Booster injections may be required at the time of an injury in older children and adults if it has been 5 to 10 years since the last tetanus vaccine was received. Ask the doctor or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine.
- It is very important to receive each vaccine as scheduled. Be sure to make a note of when each vaccine was given for the child's medical record.
- If you miss a dose of the vaccine series, contact your doctor immediately.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine.
Important safety information:
- If you have a fever or infection, the doctor may delay giving the vaccine. Discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the doctor.
- There are various combinations of vaccines available. Based on previous reactions to vaccines, the doctor will determine the most appropriate ones to use.
- Keep all doctor and lab appointments while using Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine.
- This vaccine is not recommended for persons older than 7 years of age or in INFANTS younger than 6 weeks of age. Safety and effectiveness in these age groups have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREASTFEEDING: Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is not recommended for use in persons older than 7 years of age.
Possible side effects of Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bruising, irritation, itching, redness, swelling, warmth, or a hard lump at the injection site (these may last a few days up to a week); drowsiness; irritability.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); high fever; difficulty swallowing; rapid heartbeat; seizures; tingling of the hands and feet; unresponsiveness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine:Store Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine in the refrigerator, between 35 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
