Pronunciation: hep-ah-TY-tiss
Generic Name: Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)
Brand Name: Examples include Engerix-B and Recombivax HB
Engerix-B is used for:
Preventing hepatitis B infection.
Engerix-B is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies against hepatitis B infection.
Do NOT use Engerix-B if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Engerix-B, including yeast
- you have had an allergic reaction to a hepatitis B vaccine in the past
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Engerix-B:
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are allergic to latex
- if you have a weakened immune system, heart or lung disease, a fever, an infection, an illness, a tumor, or multiple sclerosis
- if you are on dialysis, you have or might have been recently exposed to hepatitis B, or if you have traveled to areas that are high-risk for hepatitis B
- if the patient is a premature infant
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Engerix-B. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Immunosuppressive therapy (eg, cyclosporine) because it may decrease Engerix-B's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Engerix-B 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 Engerix-B:
Use Engerix-B as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Engerix-B is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- If you miss a dose of Engerix-B, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Engerix-B.
Important safety information:
- Engerix-B has noninfectious hepatitis B antigens in it. It cannot cause you to develop the hepatitis B infection.
- Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor about any illnesses you may have or if you are sick.
- For Engerix-B to be effective, you must complete all doses. It is best to begin the vaccinations 6 months before travel, if possible, if that is the reason for receiving the vaccination.
- Contact your doctor at once if you are exposed to the virus through blood, a human bite, or sexual contact.
- The length of protection against the virus from Engerix-B is not known, nor is it a guarantee that the vaccine will protect you from the hepatitis B virus.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Engerix-B during pregnancy. It is unknown if Engerix-B is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Engerix-B, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Engerix-B:
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:
Diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; general feeling of discomfort; headache; irritability; loss of appetite; mild fever or sore throat; nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; runny nose; tiredness; weakness.
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; unusual hoarseness); fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness; unusual bruising or bleeding.
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.
See also: Engerix-B side effects (in more detail)
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 Engerix-B:
Engerix-B is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Engerix-B at home, store Engerix-B as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Engerix-B out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Engerix-B, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Engerix-B 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 Engerix-B. 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.
More Engerix-B resources
- Engerix-B Side Effects (in more detail)
- Engerix-B Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Engerix-B Drug Interactions
- Engerix-B Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Engerix-B - Add your own review/rating
- Engerix-B Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Engerix-B Consumer Overview
Compare Engerix-B with other medications
- Hepatitis B Prevention
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