Engerix-B20
Engerix-B20 is a vaccine given to help prevent hepatitis B. Engerix-B20 is specially produced by a leading pharmaceutical company, namely GlaxoSmithKline, a trusted and experienced manufacturer in the pharmaceutical industry.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks, or it can cause serious, lifelong illness.
The Engerix-B20 vaccine helps the body develop immunity to the disease, but it will not treat an active infection that has already occurred.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that is transmitted through blood or body fluids, sexual contact or sharing needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when the mother is infected.
Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.
Benefits of Engerix-B20
Vaccination with Engerix-B20 is recommended for all adults at risk of exposure to hepatitis B.
This vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that function to prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus.
As with any vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine may not provide the same protection for every individual.
Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-lived illness that can cause fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and light-colored stools.
Meanwhile, chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long-lasting disease where the hepatitis B virus remains in a person’s body.
The majority of individuals who experience chronic hepatitis B may not show symptoms, but this condition is still very dangerous and can cause liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and even death.
People with chronic infection can spread the hepatitis B virus to others even if they do not feel or show symptoms of the disease.
Engerix-B20 Side Effects
In children, teens, and adults, tell the doctor if you or your child has any of the following symptoms and if they bother you or last:
Normal reactions around the injection area include pain, burning sensation, tenderness, warmth, redness, or swelling.
These are the most common side effects of Engerix-B20 in children, teenagers, and adults, and in most cases, they are mild.
In addition, other side effects have been reported, some of which are serious. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and if it worries you:
- Itchy skin rash.
- An itchy sensation or a pink, itchy rash on the skin (nettlerash), which may be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Fever, tingling of the skin, shingles (chickenpox), or a chickenpox-like rash on the body or at the injection site.
- Infection of the chest and/or ears.
- Cough.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
Engerix-B20 Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hepatitis B Prevention:
- Age 19 years and younger: Three doses (0.5 mL each) intramuscularly on a schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months.
- Age 20 years and older: Three doses (1 mL each) intramuscularly on a schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months.
How to Use Engerix-B20
Engerix-B20 is injected into a muscle by a doctor or nurse. The vaccine is usually given in a series of 3 to 4 shots, with subsequent shots given about 1 month and 6 months after the first shot.
Individual vaccination schedules may be adjusted based on health needs. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.
Be sure to take all recommended doses of Engerix-B20, as this is important for optimal protection from hepatitis B disease.
Please note that Engerix-B20 may affect the results of some health tests. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have recently received a hepatitis B vaccine.
Cautions for Using Engerix-B20
Engerix-B20 will not protect you from infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver.
The vaccine may also not provide protection against hepatitis B if you have already been infected with the virus, even if symptoms have not yet appeared.
You should not receive Engerix-B20 if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a vaccine containing hepatitis B.
To make sure Engerix-B20 is safe for you, tell your doctor or vaccination provider if you have ever had:
- Living with or having sexual contact with a person infected with the hepatitis B virus.
- Have diabetes, HIV, or AIDS.
- Using drugs that are injected into the blood vessels.
- Living or working in a facility for people with developmental disabilities.
- Working in health or public safety or being exposed to blood or body fluids.
- Traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common.
- Living or working in a correctional facility.
- Being a victim of sexual harassment or assault.
- Have hepatitis C, chronic liver disease, or
- Have kidney disease (or are on dialysis).
Vaccination with Engerix-B20 may need to be postponed or not given at all if you experience:
- Allergy to yeast.
- Allergy to latex; or
- Weakened immune system (due to illness or use of certain medications).
You can still get the vaccine if you have a mild cold. However, in cases of more severe illness with fever or other infections, it is best to wait until you have recovered before receiving Engerix-B20.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you are pregnant, your name may be added to a pregnancy registry to monitor the effects of the hepatitis B vaccine on your baby.
Engerix-B20 Interactions
Before receiving Engerix-B20, be sure to tell your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have recently received.
Keep in mind that other drugs may interact with Engerix-B20, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. So, be sure to tell your doctor about all the other drugs you are taking.
Contraindications of Engerix-B20
Contraindications to Engerix-B20 may include the induction of a severe allergic response, such as anaphylaxis, following previous administration of a vaccine containing hepatitis B or any component of Engerix-B20, including yeast.
In this situation, it is necessary to take appropriate precautions and handling to prevent the risk of potentially dangerous allergic reactions.
Therefore, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary before administering this vaccine, especially to individuals who have a history of allergies or sensitivity to the vaccine components.
Appropriate precautions should be considered to minimize potential risks and ensure the safety of administering the vaccine to individuals who need it.
