Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Td Polio Adsorbed
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Td POLIO ADSORBED is a vaccine that is used to provide protection against tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis disease. This vaccine may be given to persons 7 years of age or older.
Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a deadly disease that develops very quickly. Tetanus is caused by an extremely strong nerve poison produced by the germ Clostridium tetani. This germ is present everywhere in nature. It usually gets into the body through a dirty wound or cut. Diphtheria is a serious contagious disease caused by the germ Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This germ may be carried in the nose, throat and on the skin of persons who show no signs of being sick. Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by three types of poliovirus. The poliovirus is a virus most recognized for its destruction to the nervous system causing paralysis. It is primarily spread by the fecal-oral route.
The majority of people who are vaccinated with Td POLIO ADSORBED will produce enough antibodies to protect them against all 3 diseases. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
What it does:
Td POLIO ADSORBED causes your body to produce its own natural protection against tetanus toxin, diphtheria toxin and polio viruses. After you get a Td POLIO ADSORBED injection, your body begins to make substances called antibodies. Antibodies help your body to fight disease.
When you are exposed to tetanus or diphtheria bacteria or polio viruses, the antibodies will help to keep you from getting sick.
When it should not be used:
Td POLIO ADSORBED should not be used in the following situations:
- Do not give Td POLIO ADSORBED to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or its container.
- Do not give Td POLIO ADSORBED to a person who has a fever or serious illness. Wait until the person is better before giving the vaccine. A person who has had a mild illness (such as a mild cold) may have the vaccine. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Each 0.5 mL dose of Td POLIO ADSORBED contains: tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid and purified inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine.
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Aluminum phosphate
Formaldehyde
2-phenoxyethanol
For a full listing of nonmedicinal ingredients see Part 1 of the product monograph.
What dosage forms it comes in:
A liquid vaccine dose of 0.5 mL for intramuscular injection.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
If you or your child has any of the following conditions, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist BEFORE you receive Td POLIO ADSORBED:
- Persons with diseases of the immune system or taking a medical treatment that affects the immune system. The vaccine may provide you with a lower level of protection than it does for people with healthy immune systems.
A serious nervous system adverse event
(Guillain-Barré syndrome or brachial neuritis) following a dose of vaccine containing tetanus toxoid.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
Persons who have bleeding disorders or are on
blood-thinning medications. Tell the person giving you the injection about your condition. There is a risk of excessive bleeding where you get the injection if it is not done carefully.
Pregnant or breast-feeding women. It is
important that you understand the risks and benefits of vaccination. Td POLIO ADSORBED should be given to a pregnant or nursing woman only if it is clearly needed. Tell the person giving you the injection if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Td POLIO ADSORBED must not be mixed with other vaccines or medicinal products in the same syringe.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
For persons 7 years of age and older, the
recommended dose is 0.5 mL. The vaccine should be given in the muscle, preferably in the deltoid (shoulder) region.
People who have not received at least 3 doses of any tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines during their lifetime should do so using Td POLIO ADSORBED. After a person gets the third dose, a Td booster dose is needed every 10 years all through life. It may be needed after 5 years if you have a dirty wound. People travelling to areas of the world where polio is common may need a polio vaccine booster. This could be in the form of a Td POLIO booster.
Overdose:
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
If a dose is missed, it can be given at any time.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO
ABOUT THEM
A vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Td POLIO ADSORBED causing serious harm is extremely small. The small risks associated with
Td POLIO ADSORBED are much less than the risks associated with getting the diseases against which it protects.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after receiving Td POLIO ADSORBED.
Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Some people who receive Td POLIO ADSORBED may have mild side effects such as redness, swelling or pain at injection site. They may also feel unwell, have a headache or dizziness. These side effects may last a day or two.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Td POLIO ADSORBED, contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store the vaccine in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (35° to 46°F). Do not freeze. Discard product if it has been exposed to freezing.
Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep out of reach of children.
REPORTED SUSPECTED
SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor vaccine safety, Health Canada collects information on serious and unexpected effects of vaccine(s). If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this vaccine you may notify Health Canada by:
Telephone: 613-952-6339
Fax: 613-946-0224
By email: VAAES@phac-aspc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
The Vaccine Safety Unit
Immunization & Respiratory Infections Division Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention & Control Public Health Agency of Canada
PL 0602C Bldg #6, Tunney’s Pasture
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
NOTE: Before contacting Health Canada, you should contact your physician, nurse or pharmacist.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at: http://www.sanofipasteur.ca or by contacting the sponsor, Sanofi Pasteur Limited,
1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M2R 3T4.
Phone: 1-888-621-1146 or 416-667-2779