Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated/Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant (Injection)

Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated (hep-a-TYE-tis A vak-seen, in-AK-ti-vay-ted), Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant (hep-ah-TY-tiss B vak-seen re-KOM-bin-ant)

Prevents infection with hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Brand Name(s):

Twinrix
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to vaccinations for hepatitis A or hepatitis B.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This vaccine is usually given as a series of shots at three different times. If you are following the usual schedule, you will receive the second shot 1 month after the first, and the third shot 6 months later.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or drugs that suppress your immune system, such as steroids (such as cortisone, prednisone Celestone®, Cortone®, Decadron®, Deltasone®, Pediapred®), cancer medicines, or radiation treatment.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a bleeding disorder, problems with your immune system, or a severe illness.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had a serious reaction to any type of vaccine.
• If you have already caught hepatitis A or B, this vaccine will not keep you from getting sick. This medicine will not protect you from other types of hepatitis, such as hepatitis C.
• Tell your doctor if you have a cold or the flu, especially if you have a fever. You may need to wait until you are well to receive this vaccine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Fever, chills, sore throat, vomiting
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, nausea
• Headache
• Mild redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or itching where the shot was given
• Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.