Adacel-Polio

Brand Name

Adacel-Polio

Common Name

pertussis - diptheria - tetanus - inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine

In this drug factsheet:

• How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use this medication?
• What form(s) does this medication come in?
• Who should NOT take this medication?
• What side effects are possible with this medication?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
• What other drugs could interact with this medication?

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

The pertussis - diphtheria toxoid - tetanus toxoid - inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine belongs to a group of medications known as vaccines. It is used to prevent pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis (polio).

This vaccine is used as a booster for children over the age of 4 years. It may also be given to people during pregnancy to create antibodies to pass to newborn babies to prevent against whooping cough. It increases your defenses against pertussis and polio infections and against the toxins produced by tetanus and diphtheria bacteria.

It works by stimulating the production of your own antibodies, which will remain in the body ready to attack any future bacteria or viruses and deal with the toxins produced during tetanus or diphtheria infections.

Your child's doctor may have suggested this vaccine for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this vaccine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your child's doctor or are not sure why your child is receiving this vaccine, speak to your child's doctor.

How should I use this medication?

The usual dose of this vaccine is 0.5 mL given as an injection into the muscle of the upper outer arm in children 4 years of age and older, adolescents, and adults who have been previously vaccinated against pertussis, diphtheria, polio, and tetanus.

This vaccine is given by a health care professional in a doctor's office or clinic.

It is very important that this vaccine be given on a regular schedule as prescribed by the doctor. If your child misses a dose of this vaccine, check with your child's health care professional. Add all vaccines your child receives to their immunization record.

Store this medication in the refrigerator and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not allow it to freeze.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Each dose (0.5 mL) of sterile, uniform, cloudy, white suspension contains 5 Lf of tetanus toxoid, 2 Lf of reduced diphtheria toxoid, acellular pertussis antigens [2.5 μg of pertussis toxoid (PT), 5 μg of filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), 3 μg of pertactin (PRN), 5 μg of fimbriae types 2 and 3 (FIM)], and inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine [29 D-antigen units of type 1 (Mahoney), 7 D-antigen units of type 2 (MEF-1) and 26 D-antigen units of type 3 (Saukett)]. Nonmedicinal ingredients: aluminum phosphate (adjuvant), 2-phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 80, bovine serum albumin, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, streptomycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, and water for injection.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Pertussis - diphtheria toxoid - tetanus toxoid - inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to the pertussis - diphtheria toxoid - tetanus toxoid - poliomyelitis vaccine, or to any of the ingredients of the vaccine or any components of the container
• is allergic to neomycin or polymyxin
• has had encephalopathy (brain inflammation) within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
• has had low platelet counts or serious nervous system side effects from a previous tetanus vaccine dose

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who receives this vaccine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this vaccine with your child's doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people receiving this vaccine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your child's doctor if your child experiences these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• crying
• decreased appetite or feeding
• diarrhea
• fever
• fussiness or irritability
• headache
• nausea
• redness, swelling, soreness, tenderness, or pain at place of injection
• tiredness
• sore or swollen joints

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your child's doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your child's doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• hives
• rash
• unresponsiveness
• vomiting

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• convulsions (seizures)
• fever over 40.5°C (105°F)
• signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth or throat)

Be sure to mention any side effects to your child's doctor, as it may mean that your child is allergic to the vaccine.

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your child's doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you after your child receives this vaccine.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before your child receives this vaccine, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies your child may have, any medications your child is taking, and any other significant facts about your child's health. These factors may affect the vaccine your child is receiving.

Allergic reactions: In rare cases, this vaccine may cause severe allergic reactions. If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., hives; trouble breathing or swallowing; or swelling of the lips, face, throat, or tongue), get medical attention immediately.

Bleeding: If your child has a bleeding disorder or is taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), discuss with their doctor how this vaccine may affect their medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Guillain-Barré syndrome: In rare cases, tetanus vaccines may cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that affects the nerves. Before receiving this vaccine, let your doctor know if you have experienced symptoms such as muscle weakness or tingling in the feet or hands within 6 weeks of receiving a previous tetanus vaccine.

Immune system: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not be as effective for people with a weakened immune system (e.g., people with AIDS or cancer, people taking antirejection medications after an organ transplant, people receiving chemotherapy, or people taking any medication that suppresses the immune system). If your child has a weakened immune system, their doctor may decide to postpone the vaccine till their immune system recovers.

Infection: Your child's doctor may decide to delay this vaccine if your child has an acute infection or fever. Mild infections without fever, such as colds, usually do not require delay of the vaccine.

Medical conditions: If you bruise easily, have a neurological disorder, have a bleeding problem, have a high fever, have poorly controlled epilepsy, have had an allergic reaction to other vaccines, or have a family history of seizures, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Vaccine protection: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not protect 100% of people who receive it and may not prevent infection for people who are already infected with the bacteria or virus.

Pregnancy: This vaccine may be given during pregnancy, so that the parent's immune system can create antibodies to transfer to the developing baby. This provides temporary immunity to whooping cough for the newborn baby until routine childhood vaccinations can be started.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if this vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: This medication is not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.

If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Adacel-Polio