DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) (hep-ah-TY-tiss)
Brand Name: Engerix-B and Recombivax HB

Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) is used for:

Preventing hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies against hepatitis B infection.

Do NOT use Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) , including yeast or mercury
• 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 Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) :

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 or dry natural rubber
• if you have a weakened immune system, heart or lung disease, a fever, an infection, an illness, a tumor, or multiple sclerosis, or you are on immunosuppressive therapy (eg, cyclosporine)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) . However, no specific interactions with Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) 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 Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) :

Use Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) .
• If you miss a dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) , contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) .

Important safety information:

• Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor about any illnesses you may have or if you are sick.
• For Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) 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 Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) 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 Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) during pregnancy. It is unknown if Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) :

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; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) :

Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) at home, store Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) 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.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant) . 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.