Infanrix (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Infanrix

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) »

Whooping cough (pertussis) facts

Whooping cough (pertussis) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but can be prevented by immunization with pertussis vaccine.
Adults may develop whooping cough as their immunity from childhood vaccines wears off over time.
Clinical symptoms occur in three stages; the characteristic bursts of coughing are observed in the second, or paroxysmal, stage.
Antibiotics can help reduce the severity of the disease when administered early in the course of the disease.
Secondary bacterial pneumonia is the most common complication of whooping cough.

What is whooping cough? What is the history of whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a bacterial upper respiratory infection that leads to episodes of violent coughing. The d...

Read the Whooping Cough (Pertussis) article »

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Infanrix Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Infanrix)?

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus, or if the child has:

severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
if the child has received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.

Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

a very high fever (over 104 degrees);
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;
excessive crying for 3 hours or longer;
fainting or going into shock;
seizure (convulsions); or
Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus).

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if your child has:

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
a history of seizures;
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
if the child is taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
if it has been less than 4 weeks since the child last received a DTaP vaccine.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

The pediatric version of this vaccine (Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia) should not be given to anyone over the age of 6 years old. Another vaccine is available for use in older children and adults.

How is this vaccine given (Infanrix)?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

This vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, and 18 months of age, and again between 4 and 6 years of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

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