How does it work?

This vaccine contains a sterile suspension of diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid (which are modified bacterial toxins) and killed Bordetella pertussis bacterial cells (the bacteria that cause whooping cough). It stimulates the body's immune response without causing the diseases. When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, the immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the infecting agent and their first function is to help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. The antibodies formed remain in the body and recognise and attack any future infection with the same organism. This is known as immunity. Protection against many infections can be provided artificially by means of vaccines derived from altered forms of infecting organisms. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies in the same way as genuine infection, without actually causing the disease. As the organisms stimulate the production of a specific type of antibody, a different vaccine must be used for each disease. This diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine provides immunity against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. It is one of the vaccines given as part of the childhood vaccination schedule, and is given as three injections, each separated by a four week interval.

What is it used for?

Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough

Warning!

The efficacy of this vaccine may be reduced in HIV positive individuals

People whose immune system is underactive, for example due to diseases such as HIV or AIDS, or treatment with immunosuppressant medicines such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids, may not produce an adequate immune response to this vaccine. For further advice talk to your doctor.

Use with caution in

History of epilepsy

Personal or family history of fitting associated with fever

Not to be used in

Adults and children over 10 years of age

Babies under 2 months of age

Children who collapsed or were unresponsive following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who cried persistantly and inconsolably for more than four hours after a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had a temperature of 39.5ºC or higher within 48 hours of a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had convulsions or brain disorders (encephalopathy) within three days of a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had swelling of the voice box (laryngeal oedema) following a previous dose of vaccine

Children who had swelling, redness and hardening of the skin over an extensive area around the injection site following a previous dose of vaccine

Progressive disease affecting the brain and nervous system (neurological disease)

Sudden feverish illness

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not intended for use in adults, hence there is no information available about its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Restlessness

Seizures (convulsions)

Decreased appetite

Paleness

Fever (pyrexia)

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)

Sleepiness (somnolence)

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Pain, swelling, redness and hardening of the skin at the injection site

Unusual crying

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved