Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid

Tetanus toxoid adsorbed or fluid is a vaccine given to provide protection (immunity) against tetanus (lockjaw) in adults and children 7 years or older.

Primary Immunization

Adult and geriatric dosage

• 0.5 mL IM; repeat at 4-8 weeks after the first dose and at 6-12 months after the second dose
• Booster: 0.5 mL IM every 10 Years

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 7 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children above 7 years: 0.5 mL IM; repeat at 4-8 weeks after the first dose and at 6-12 months after the second dose
• Booster: 0.5 mL IM every 10 years
• Use trivalent DTP for routine Peds immunization

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid include:

• mild fever,
• joint pain,
• muscle aches,
• nausea,
• tiredness,
• general ill feeling,
• lightheadedness, and
• injection site reactions (pain itching swelling tenderness redness or a lump).

Serious side effects of Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid include:

• extreme drowsiness, 
• fainting,
• severe headache,
• vomiting,
• fussiness,
• irritability, 
• crying for an hour or longer,
• confusion, 
• seizure (black-out or convulsions),
• high fever, and
• signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Rare side effects of Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid include:

• none 

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.

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.

• Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • belimumab
• Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid has serious interactions with at least 38 other drugs.
• Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid has moderate interactions with the following drugs.
  • cimetidine
  • cyclosporine
  • ibrutinib
  • ifosfamide
  • lomustine
  • mechlorethamine
  • melphalan
  • mercaptopurine
  • methotrexate
  • onasemnogene abeparvovec
  • oxaliplatin
  • procarbazine
  • tralokinumab
  • voclosporin
• Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid has minor interactions with the following drugs. 
  • chloroquine
  • ozanimod

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 of 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 health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Thimerosal
• Delay if acute/febrile illness

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed or Fluid?”

Cautions

• Adults: DT toxoids preferred
• For passive immunization, use Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG)
• Adsorbed to aluminum for greater immunogenicity
• Need 3 doses for primary immunization
• The alternative is fluid toxoid for use if hypersensitive to aluminum
• Need four 0.5 mL doses for primary immunization
• Children below 7 years
  • Not recommended, use instead:
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus toxoids, and Acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTaP), or
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus toxoids, and Pertussis vaccine (DTP), or
  • Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids (DT)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted in breast milk