Engerix-B

Generic name:hepatitis B adult vaccine [ HEP-a-TYE-tis-B-a-DULT-VAX-een ]
Drug class:Viral vaccines

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on May 11, 2022.

What is Engerix-B?

Engerix-B is used to help prevent hepatitis B adult in adults.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

Hepatitis B is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact, and by sharing items such as a razor, toothbrush, or IV drug needle with an infected person. Hepatitis B can also be passed to a baby during childbirth when the mother is infected.

Engerix-B helps your body develop immunity to hepatitis B, but it will not treat an active infection you already have.

Vaccination with Engerix-B is recommended for all adults who are at risk of getting hepatitis B. Risk factors include: living with someone infected with hepatitis B virus; having more than one sex partner; men who have sex with men; having sexual contact with infected people; having hepatitis C, chronicliver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, HIV or AIDS; being on dialysis; using intravenous (IV) drugs; living or working in a facility for developmentally disabled people; working in healthcare or public safety and being exposed to blood or body fluids; living or working in a correctional facility; being a victim of sexual abuse or assault; and traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common.

Like any vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

You should not receive Engerix-B if you are allergic to yeast.

Engerix-B will not protect against hepatitis B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet show symptoms.

Before taking this medicine

Engerix-B will not protect against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect against hepatitis B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet show symptoms.

You should not receive Engerix-B if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis B, or if you are allergic to yeast.

If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• multiple sclerosis;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;

• weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine);

• an allergy to latex; or

• a neurologic disorder or disease a...