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This medication is used to help prevent problems that may occur with 2 bacterial infections in children (tetanus and diphtheria). Tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria can cause serious, sometimes fatal problems (heart problems, nerve problems, muscle paralysis).
Vaccination is the best way to protect (provide immunity) against these life-threatening diseases. Vaccines work by getting the body to make its own protection (antibodies).
This vaccine is recommended for all children 6 weeks to 7 years old. Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (pediatric) injection should never be used in anyone 7 years or older because it contains higher amounts of the toxoids than the vaccine meant for people older than 7 years. Older children and adults may have more severe reactions to the higher amounts.
How to use diphtheria-tetanus toxoids ped IM
Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider.
This vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm by a health care professional.
For infants 6 weeks through 12 months, 3 injections are given 4 to 8 weeks apart. A fourth dose is given 6 to 12 months after the third injection.
For children 1 to 6 years (up to the seventh birthday), 2 injections are given 4 to 8 weeks apart. A third dose is given 6 to 12 months after the second injection.
A booster dose is required for all children between 4 to 6 years of age if all of the injections of the series were given before the age of 4 years.
Booster doses should be given every 10 years for all children 7 years of age or older and adults. Only the vaccine for adults should be used in these cases.
Pain/redness/warmth/bruising/swelling at the injection site, tiredness, fever, dizziness, nausea, and joint aches may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your child\'s doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that the doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to your child is greater than the risk of side effects. Many children using this medication do not have serious side effects. However, report all side effects to the doctor.
Tell the doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: shoulder pain, muscle weakness/tingling.
A severe reaction at the injection site may rarely occur. Tell the doctor if your child develops any of the following injection site reactions: severe pain, large area of swelling/redness/bruising, persistent lump.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice your child having any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your child\'s doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other vaccines; or to latex; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before receiving this vaccination, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current fever/illness, a certain nerve disease (Guillain-Barre syndrome), bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenia).
Some brands of this product may contain a small amount of mercury from a preservative (thimerosal). Consult your doctor for more information.
This vaccine is not for use in adults. Therefore, it is unlikely to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this vaccine.
The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.
To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: \"blood thinners\" (such as warfarin), chemotherapy, corticosteroids (such as prednisone, dexamethasone), drugs that weaken the immune system (such as cyclosporine, efalizumab, tacrolimus).
Other vaccines may be given at the same time as this vaccine, but they should be given with separate syringes and at different injection sites.
This document does not contain all possible 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 the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES:
As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not fully protect everyone who receives it.
Keep vaccine records for yourself and all of your children, and after your children are grown, provide their records to them and their doctors. This will prevent unnecessary re-vaccinations.
MISSED DOSE:
It is important that your child receive each vaccination as scheduled. Be sure to ask when your child should receive the next dose. It may help to make a note on your calendar to remind you. If your child misses a dose, call the doctor immediately to reschedule.
STORAGE:
Not applicable. This vaccine is given in a doctor\'s office and will not be stored at home.
Information last revised June 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.
