Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine
Generic name: hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine [ HEP-a-TYE-tis ]
Brand names: Twinrix Preservative-Free, Twinrix
Dosage form: intramuscular suspension (720 units-20 mcg/mL preservative free)
Drug class:Vaccine combinations
What is hepatitis A and B vaccine?
Hepatitis A and B are serious diseases caused by 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.
The hepatitis A and B vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in adults. The vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
This vaccine is recommended for adults with risk factors for getting hepatitis A or B, including:
having chronic liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C, or needing a liver transplant;
using intravenous (IV) drugs;
living with a person who has either hepatitis A or B infection;
having sexual contact with an infected person;
having a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
being on dialysis or receiving blood transfusions;
living in a correctional institution;
being in the military or traveling to high-risk areas; and
working in healthcare or public safety and being exposed to infected blood or body fluids.
Like any vaccine, the hepatitis A and B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
Before taking this medicine
Hepatitis A and B vaccine will not protect you against infection with hepatitis C or E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It will also not protect you from hepatitis A or B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet show symptoms.
You should not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to yeast or neomycin, or if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis A or hepatitis B.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an allergy to latex rubber; or
a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine).
You can still receive a vaccine...
