Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine

Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is used for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) in children.

•  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine is available under t1he following different brand names: Infanrix, Daptacel

Common side effects of  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine include:

• injection site reactions (redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, itching, pain, hives, and rash)
• fever
• drowsiness
• fretfulness
• vomiting
• weight loss
• persistent crying
• convulsions (rare)

Serious side effects of  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine include:

• hives
• swelling of the mouth or tongue
• difficulty breathing
• shock
• high fever
• persistent crying
• convulsions 
• low blood pressure

Rare side effects of  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pediatric dosage

• Lf = limits of flocculation
• DTaP suspension
  • (10 mcg/15 Lf/5 Lf)/0.5 mL (Daptacel)
  • (58 mcg/25 Lf/10 Lf)/0.5 mL (Infanrix)

Primary Immunization

Pediatric dosage

• Aged between 6 weeks-7 years
  • 0.5 mL IM x 3 at 2, 4, 6 months of age; may administer as early as six weeks of age and repeated every 4-8 weeks; THEN 4th dose at 15-20 months of age but at least 6 months after the third dose & 5th dose at 4-6 years of age, before starting school or kindergarten; if fourth dose given at >4 years of age, may omit fifth dose;
  • For children below 7 years who didn't receive DTaP at early infancy, give the first 3 doses every month, then 4th dose at least 6 months later
• Aged above 7 years
  • Not approved for use; use tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine instead

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • belimumab
• Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine has serious interactions with at least 39 drugs.
• Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • belatacept
  • dengue vaccine
  • ifosfamide
  • melphalan
  • mercaptopurine
  • methotrexate
  • oxaliplatin
  • ublituximab
• Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine has minor interactions with the following drug:
  • chloroquine 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity
• History of Arthus reaction to prior tetanus vaccination (unless 10 yr have elapsed)
• History of encephalopathy (within 7 days of administration not attributable to other causes), progressive neurologic disorder including uncontrolled or progressive epilepsy, infantile spasms, with a pertussis-containing vaccine

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using  Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine?”

Cautions

• DTaP (Tripedia) now contains less than 0.5 mcg thimerosal; Daptacel and Infanrix are thimerosal-free
• Do not use DTaP with HIB (TriHIBit) for primary immunization of infants; only use for booster shots
• Caution in patients with neurological disorders
• Apnea reported in premature infants following IM vaccine administration; weigh risk/benefit
• Syncope accompanied by transient disturbances, tonic-clonic movements, or weakness reported
• Consider postponing administration in patients with moderate or severe acute illness (with or without fever)
• Use caution in patients with a history of bleeding disorders (including thrombocytopenia) and or patients on anticoagulants
• History of Guillain-Barre syndrome with prior tetanus vaccine; weigh risk/benefit

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution.