GARDASIL
[Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18)
Vaccine, Recombinant]
Suspension for intramuscular injection
GARDASIL, Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant, is a non-infectious recombinant quadrivalent vaccine prepared from the purified virus-like particles (VLPs) of the major capsid (L1) protein of HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The L1 proteins are produced by separate fermentations in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae and self-assembled into VLPs. The fermentation process involves growth of S. cerevisiae on chemically-defined fermentation media which include vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts, and carbohydrates. The VLPs are released from the yeast cells by cell disruption and purified by a series of chemical and physical methods. The purified VLPs are adsorbed on preformed aluminum-containing adjuvant (Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxyphosphate Sulfate). The quadrivalent HPV VLP vaccine is a sterile liquid suspension that is prepared by combining the adsorbed VLPs of each HPV type and additional amounts of the aluminum-containing adjuvant and the final purification buffer.
GARDASIL (quadrivalent human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine) is a sterile suspension for intramuscular administration. Each 0.5-mL dose contains approximately 20 mcg of HPV 6 L1 protein, 40 mcg of HPV 11 L1 protein, 40 mcg of HPV 16 L1 protein, and 20 mcg of HPV 18 L1 protein.
Each 0.5-mL dose of the vaccine contains approximately 225 mcg of aluminum (as Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxyphosphate Sulfate adjuvant), 9.56 mg of sodium chloride, 0.78 mg of L-histidine, 50 mcg of polysorbate 80, 35 mcg of sodium borate, < 7 mcg yeast protein/dose, and water for injection. The product does not contain a preservative or antibiotics.
After thorough agitation, GARDASIL (quadrivalent human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine) is a white, cloudy liquid.
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Becoming infected with HPV is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
You...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Gardasil »
Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other vaccines; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before receiving this vaccination, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: immune system problems (e.g., HIV infection), bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, thrombocytopenia), current fever/illness.
This vaccine can cause fainting in some patients, which could result in falling and injury. To reduce the risk of this side effect, your doctor may recommend that you stay in a sitting or lying position for 15 minutes after the injection. Infrequently, fainting...
Last reviewed on RxList: 1/26/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
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