ENGERIX B INJ ADULT 20MCG PRE-FILLED SYRINGE (1 ML)

Generic Name: hepatitis B vaccine
Brand Name: Engerix-B
Drug class: Viral vaccines

WHAT IS THE DOSAGE OF THIS MEDICATION?

Engerix-B is available as:

• Engerix-B Pediatric Dose
  Each 0.5 mL pediatric dose contains 10 µg of hepatitis B surface antigen adsorbed onto 0.25 mg of aluminum hydroxide. 

• Engerix-B
  Each 1 mL adult dose contains 20 µg of hepatitis B surface antigen adsorbed onto 0.5 mg of aluminum hydroxide.

WHAT IS THIS MEDICATION USED FOR?

Hepatitis B vaccine prevents infection by hepatitis B virus by allowing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of serious liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for persons of all ages, especially those at increased risk of infection with hepatitis B virus. These include:

• adolescents

• adults and children who have immigrated to Canada from areas where there is a high prevalence of hepatitis B

• blood bank workers

• children in childcare settings in which there is a hepatitis B virus-infected child

• children under 7 years of age whose families have moved to Canada from high-risk areas and were exposed to hepatitis B carriers

• emergency service workers (police, firefighters)

• health care personnel

• infants born to mothers with hepatitis B

• military personnel

• morticians and embalmers

• patients and patient contacts in certain hospital clinics (e.g., dialysis, cancer) or psychiatric institutions

• people requiring frequent or large-volume blood transfusions or other blood products

• people travelling to high-risk areas

• people who engage in high-risk sexual activity

• prisoners

• users of illicit injectable drugs

The dose varies according to age and dosing schedule. Hepatitis B vaccine should be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor. A qualified health professional will inject the hepatitis B vaccine.

The dose of hepatitis B vaccine is injected into a muscle (preferably the upper, outer arm for adults and the thigh for infants and children) with 3 doses that are at least 1 month apart. A two-dose regimen is available for adolescents (11 to 15 years of age) where the second dose is given 4 to 6 months after the first.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Other dosing schedules are sometimes used. It is very important to keep doctor appointments so that this medication may be used according to recommended schedules. Add all vaccines you receive to your immunization record.

This vaccine is stored in the refrigerator and protected from light until it is used. It should be kept out of the reach of children, and it must not be allowed to freeze or it will have to be discarded. 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.

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION

Do not use this medication if you:

• are allergic to hepatitis B vaccine or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

POTENTIAL INTERACTION WITH OTHER MEDICATION

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Inform your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that 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.

The following medications could potentially interact with this medication:

• medications that suppress the immune system:

  • corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone)

  • medications used to treat conditions such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or medications used after a transplant

If you are taking any of these 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.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS MEDICATION?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Inform your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that 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.

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.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects include:

• abdominal pain

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• fever of 37.7°C (100°F) or higher

• hard lump, redness, swelling, pain, itching, purple spot, tenderness, or warmth at the place of injection

• headache

• loss of appetite

• muscle aches

• nausea

• soreness where the vaccine was injected

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• vomiting

• aches or pain in joints

• fever

• flu-like symptoms (sudden lack of energy, fever, cough, sore throat)

• irritability

• muscle weakness or numbness or tingling of arms and legs

• skin rash or welts (may occur days or weeks after receiving the vaccine)

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