Pentacel

What is Pentacel?

Pentacel is a vaccine that can be used to increase protection against Haemophilus influenzae type B pertussis, polio, and tetanus. All of these are serious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.Diphtheria can cause a thick, scaly coating on the throat, nose, and airways. It could cause breathing difficulties as well as heart failure, paralysis, or even death.Haemophilus B bacteria may infect the throat or lungs and may also infect bones, blood joints, the brain, or the spinal cord. It could cause breathing difficulties or meningitis. These illnesses can lead to death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) can cause such severe coughing that it causes problems with eating, drinking, or breathing. The coughing spells can last up to several weeks and could result in seizures, pneumonia (convulsions), brain injury, or even death.

Polio is a threat to the central nervous system as well as the spinal cord. It can lead to paralysis and weakness of the muscles. Polio is a potentially life-threatening condition due to the fact that it could paralyze the muscles that allow you to breathe.Tetanus (lockjaw) is an intense tightening of muscles, typically all over the body. It can cause "locking" of the jaw, and the victim is unable to open their mouths or swallow. Tetanus can cause death in around 1 out of 10 instances.

Diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis and polio are transmitted from person to person. Tetanus may enter your body through wounds and cuts.Pentacel vaccine can be used to prevent these illnesses in children aged 6 weeks to 4 years old (before the age of 5 years old).

Pentacel is a drug that works by exposing the child to just a tiny dose of bacteria, virus, or protein produced by the bacteria, which triggers the body to build up an immunity against the disease. Pentacel is not a treatment for an active disease that has already begun to manifest within the body.Like all vaccines, Pentacel could not protect everyone against all diseases.

Warnings

The pentacel vaccine is administered as several shots. It is typically given at two months old. It is given at the ages of 4 months, 6 months, and 15–18 years of age. The schedule for your child's individual booster might differ from the guidelines below. Follow the instructions of your doctor or the schedule suggested by your health agency in the state you reside in.

Make sure that your child receives the recommended doses of Pentacel. If your child doesn't receive all the recommended vaccines, they aren't fully protected from the disease.

Your child is still able to receive an injection if he or she is suffering from a cold or fever. If there is an acute illness that has a fever or other type of disease, wait until the child recovers before giving Pentacel.Your child shouldn't receive the booster vaccine if they suffered a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction following the initial shot.Your child shouldn't receive the Pentacel vaccine if he or she is suffering from a neurologic disorder or disease that affects the brain (or in the case of a reaction to a prior vaccination).

Infection with diphtheria pertussis, haemophilus influenzae polio, or tetanus can be far more harmful for children's well being than getting the vaccine to guard against these infections. Like all medicines, Pentacel may cause adverse reactions; however, the chance of serious adverse side effects is extremely minimal.

Similar or related drugs

azithromycin, Zithromax, clarithromycin, rifampin, biaxin, Daptacel (DTaP), and Adacel (Tdap)

Before you take this drug

Your child shouldn't be given Pentacel if he is:

• A history of a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine that contains diphtheria, haemophilus B, pertussis, tetanus, or polio
• An occurrence of diminished consciousness or seizures within 7 days following the administration of an infection with pertussis;
• Untreated or progressive nerve system disorder (or brain disorder) (such as infantile spasms or uncontrollable seizures).

Your child might not be eligible to receive Pentacel in the event that he or she has had any experience with the pertussis vaccine, which caused:

• In the first 48 hours following the vaccination and a very high fever (over 100 degrees) and crying in excess for more than 3 hours and then being ill, fainting,
• Within 3 days of the vaccination, seizures

To ensure that Pentacel is safe to administer, inform the person who administers your vaccinations if your child has ever:

• Seizures;
• Treatment or radiation;
• An insufficient immune system (caused by illness or taking certain medicines);
• Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs within six weeks of having received a tetanus vaccination
• If the child is born prematurely.

Your child is still able to receive the Pentacel vaccine even if he or she has a mild cold. If you suspect an acute illness that has a fever or other type of illness, wait until your child recovers before obtaining Pentacel.

How to take Pentacel?

Pentacel can be administered by injecting it (shot) into the muscle.Pentacel can be given in the form of a series of shots. First, the shot is typically given at two months old. These booster shots will be given at the ages of 4 months, 6 months, and 15–18 years of age. The individual schedule of your child's booster shots might differ from the guidelines below. Follow the advice of your physician or the schedule suggested by the department of health of the state that you live in.

The doctor may suggest the treatment of pain and fever using aspirin-free pain relief like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and many others) after the shot has been given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the directions on the label or the instructions of your doctor on the dosage of this medication to give your child.It is crucial to avoid the onset of fever in children with seizures, such as epilepsy.

Details on dosage

The usual pediatric dose for Haemophilus influenzae prevention is:

0.5 mg intramuscularly, at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months up to 18 months old.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Poliomyelitis Prophylaxis:

0.5 mg intramuscularly, at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months of age.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Diphtheria Prophylaxis:

0.5 millimeters intramuscularly every 2, 4, 6, and 15 months until 18 months of age.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis:

0.5 millimeters intramuscularly every 2 years, 4, 6, and 15–18 years old.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Tetanus Prophylaxis:

0.5 mg intramuscularly at 2 4 6 as well as at 15 to 18 months of age.
Comments:
The first dose can be administered at 6 weeks old.
Four doses form a basic vaccination programme against pertussis.
Three doses are a standard vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus B, and poliomyelitis. The fourth dose is regarded as a booster for these diseases.
Pentacel is a drug that can be used to finish the initial 4 doses of the 5-dose Diphtheria as well as the Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (DTaP) series for infants who have had one or more DTaP doses. They are also being scheduled for the additional antigens contained in Pentacel; however, their safety and the immunogenicity of these mixed sequences have not been confirmed.
It is possible to use the drug in children or infants who have had one or more doses of an unactivated vaccine for polio (IPV) or Haemophilus conjugate vaccination (individual or combination vaccine), as well as those who are scheduled for other antigens found in Pentacel; however, the safety and immunity of these mixtures have not been confirmed.
If Pentacel is administered within the recommended age range The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggests an additional dose of booster IPV between 4 and 6 years of age, resulting in a 5-dose IPV series.

What happens If I miss a dose?

Consult your physician if you are likely to miss a dose booster or if you fall behind. The next dose must be given promptly. There's no need to re-start the treatment.

Be sure your child gets the recommended doses of Pentacel, or else your child might not be fully protected against illness.

What happens if I overdose?

A high dose of pentacel is not likely to occur.

What should be avoided?

Follow the instructions of your vaccine provider regarding any restrictions on food or beverages.

Side effects of Pentacel

See a doctor immediately. If your child shows symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction, Pentacel: hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Your child shouldn't get an additional vaccine if they are suffering from an allergic reaction following one shot. Keep track of any negative effects your child may experience. If your child is given an additional dose, inform the doctor who administered the vaccination in the event that the previous shot resulted in any adverse effects.

Infections with diphtheria, haemophilus b, pertussis, tetanus, or polio are more hazardous for the health of your kid than being treated with Pentacel. Like all medications, Pentacel may produce side effects, but the chance of causing serious side effects is minimal.

Make an appointment with your doctor right away. If your child is suffering from:

• Anxiety and crying for an hour or more;
• Extremely high fever;
• Extreme drowsiness and fainting.

It is possible to manage pain or fever by using over-the-counter pain relief like acetaminophen (Tylenol) as well as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and many others). Follow the directions on the label or the instructions of your vaccine provider.

It is crucial to prevent fever from developing in children who suffer from seizures, such as epilepsy.

Common Pentacel adverse effects could include:

• Moderately fussy, low fever, mild agitation
• Redness, pain, or tenderness in the area where the shot was administered.

This isn't an exhaustive list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Interaction with other drugs

Pentacel might not function in the same way in the case of a child who is taking medications or treatments that affect the immune system, such as:

• Steroid medicine;
• Treatments for cancer
• Medication to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions that are autoimmune,
• Medications for treating or preventing organ rejection after a transplant.

This list isn't comprehensive. Other medications can affect Pentacel, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are listed here.