Engerix B

Details

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Hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine is used to prevent Hepatitis B virus infection. It is a manmade laboratory creation that does not contain live viruses. It is extracted from HBsAg which is produced in yeast cells. Engerix B is the universal name of this vaccine.

 

Purpose:

• Mainly it protects the immune system against getting affected with Hepatitis B infection.
• It prevents liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
• It is meant for people who have multiple sex partners.
• People who travel to high-risk areas, dialysis patients, laboratory workers, haemophiliacs should be injected with Hepatitis B (recombinant) Vaccine.

 

Mechanism:

Engerix B strengthens the immunity from within and whenever the body is faced with foreign organisms, the body activates antibodies and fights against the Hepatitis B virus and prevents it from entering the human body.

 

Dosage:

• People between 0-19yrs of age should be injected with 3 doses. Initial dose, second dose after a month, and third dose after 6 months of 0.5ml each.
• Adolescents between 11-15yrs of age should be injected with 2 doses. Initial dose and second dose after 6 months of 1ml each.
• People above the age of 20, dialysis and predialysis patients should be injected with 3 doses. Initial dose, second dose after a month, and third dose after 6 months of 1 ml each.

 

Side effects:

• Common side effects of Hepatitis B (recombinant) Vaccine are nausea, vomiting, fever, tiredness, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
• Instant side effects can be ringing in the ears, dizziness, changes in vision, or fainting.
• If any serious side effects such as allergic reaction, swelling, or breathing problem are experienced by you, consult your doctor right away.

 

Precautions and measures:

• Caps of prefilled syringes of Engerix B contain rubber latex, which can be a source of an allergic reaction.
• Do not mix this vaccine with the syringe of any other vaccine.
• Always shake the syringe well before use.
• If you are cancer, hemodialysis, radiation treatment, lymphoma, or HIV patient, you should get your antibodies level checked regularly as because of any of these prevailing conditions Hepatitis B (recombinant) Vaccine might not be able to produce enough antibodies to fight against Hepatitis B virus.
• If you are having a fever or any illness with a fever while getting this vaccine, consult your doctor first and then take the action.

 

Interactions:

Some products such as chemotherapy, prednisone, cyclosporine, corticosteroids might weaken the immune system if used along with the Engerix B vaccine and hence should be avoided or not taken at the same time.