Boostrix

Boostrix is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Boostrix is given as a one-dose shot into the upper arm.

Common side effects of Boostrix include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. 

Boostrix is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Boostrix is approved for use as a single dose in individuals 10 years of age and older. 

If tetanus prevention is needed for wound management, Boostrix may be given if no previous dose of any Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap) has been administered.

• Dispensing Solutions, Inc.

• Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals

• GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA

Side effects reported with Boostrix include:

• pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• increase in arm circumference
• headache
• fatigue
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• fever

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Boostrix. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you use:

• immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids

This is not a complete list of Boostrix drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

• Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of  allergic reactions, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • rash
• Latex. The tip caps of the Boostrix prefilled syringes may contain natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals.
• Arthus reactions. Persons who experienced an Arthus-type hypersensitivity reaction following a prior dose of a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine usually have high serum tetanus antitoxin levels and should not receive Boostrix vaccine more frequently than every 10 years, even for tetanus prevention as part of wound management.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Brachial Neuritis. There is a causal relationship between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.  Brachial neuritis is a term used to describe an inflammation of a network of nerves that originate near the neck and shoulder (brachial plexus) that causes sudden-onset shoulder and arm pain, followed by weakness and/or numbness.
• Altered immunocompetence. If Boostrix vaccine is administered to immunocompromised persons, including persons receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected immune response may not be obtained.
• Progressive or unstable neurologic conditions. Progressive or unstable neurologic conditions (i.e. cerebrovascular events and acute encephalopathic conditions) are reasons to defer vaccination 

Do not get Boostrix if you or your child:

• had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any tetanus toxoid-, diphtheria toxoid-, or pertussis antigen-containing vaccine or any component of this vaccine.
• had encephalopathy (e.g., coma, decreased level of consciousness, prolonged seizures) within 7 days of administration of a previous dose of a pertussis antigen-containing vaccine that is not attributable to another identifiable cause

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Boostrix, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child:

• had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any tetanus toxoid-, diphtheria toxoid-, or pertussis antigen-containing vaccine or any component of this vaccine
• had encephalopathy (e.g., coma, decreased level of consciousness, prolonged seizures) within 7 days of administration of a previous dose of a pertussis antigen-containing vaccine that is not attributable to another identifiable cause
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are allergic to latex

Tell you doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Boostrix falls into category B. There are no well done studies that have been done in humans with Boostrix. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication. 

GlaxoSmithKline maintains a surveillance registry to collect data on pregnancy outcomes and newborn health status outcomes following vaccination with Boostrix during pregnancy. Women who receive Boostrix during pregnancy should be encouraged to contact GlaxoSmithKline directly or their healthcare provider should contact GlaxoSmithKline by calling 1-888-452-9622.

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Boostrix crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Boostrix.

Boostrix is given by a healthcare professional as a single dose injection into the upper arm. 

Boostrix is given by a healthcare professional as a single 0.5 ml dose injection into the upper arm. 

There are no data to support repeat administration of Boostrix.

Five years should elapse between the last dose of the recommended series of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (DTaP) and/or Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Adsorbed For Adult Use (Td) vaccine and the administration of Boostrix.

Boostrix is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.