Adacel

Generic name: tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) [ TET-a-nus, dif-THEER-ee-a, and-ay-SEL-yoo-ler-per-TUS-iss ]
Brand names: Adacel (Tdap), Boostrix (Tdap)
Drug class: Vaccine combinations

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jan 10, 2023.

What is Adacel?

Adacel is used to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in people who are at least 10 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it can interfere with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Adacel is especially important for healthcare workers or people who have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old.

Adacel vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the Adacel may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

In most cases,Adacel is given in only one dose. Follow your doctor''s instructions about receiving a booster dose if needed.

You can still receive the Adacel vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving Adacel.

You should not receive Adacel if you have ever had had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine. You also should not receive this vaccine if you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the Adacel vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive Adacel if:

• you had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine that contains tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis; or

• you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain (such as loss of consciousness or a prolonged seizure) within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine.

You may not be able to receive Adacel if you have ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

• a very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit);

• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;

• fainting or going into shock;

• severe pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given;

• an allergy to latex rubber;

• severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• Guillain-Barr syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus).

If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• a history of seizures;

• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or

• if it has been less than 10 years since you last received a tetanus shot.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

It is not known whether Adacel will harm an unborn baby. However, you may need a Adacel during pregnancy to protect your newborn baby from pertussis. Young babies are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis. Your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of the Adacel on the baby.

It is not known whether Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Adacel should not be given to anyone under the age of 10. Another vaccine is available for use in children younger than 10 years old.

How is Adacel given?

Adacel is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor''s office or clinic setting.

Adacel is usually given as a one-time injection. Unless your doctor''s tells you otherwise, you will not need a booster vaccine.

Adacel is usually given once every 10 years.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Adacel vaccine is usually given only once, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after receiving Adacel?

Follow your doctor''s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after receiving Adacel.

Adacel side effects

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving Adacel vaccine. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell your doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, Adacel vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Adacel: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects within 7 days after receiving Adacel:

• numbness, weakness, or tingling in your feet and legs;

• problems with walking or coordination;

• sudden pain in your arms or shoulders;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• vision problems, ringing in your ears;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

• redness, swelling, bleeding, or severe pain where the shot was given.

Common Adacel side effects may include:

• mild pain or tenderness where the shot was given;

• headache or tiredness;

• body aches; or

• mild nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What other drugs will affect Adacel?

Before receiving Adacel, tell your doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.

Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Adacel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Adacel only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

• DTaP vs Tdap Vaccines - What''s the difference between them?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01.

Adacel (Intramuscular)

Generic name: diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis booster vaccine (intramuscular route) [ ree-DOOST-dif-THEER-ee-a-TOX-oyd, TET-a-nus-TOX-oyd, per-TUS-iss-VAX-een, a-SELL-yoo-lar ]
Drug class: Vaccine combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 29, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Adacel
• Boostrix

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Vaccine

Uses for Adacel

Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis booster vaccine (also known as Tdap) is a combination immunizing agent used to protect against infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough). This vaccine is given to children 10 years of age and older, to women in their third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pertussis in babies younger than 2 months of age, and to adults who have already been given this vaccine in the past. The vaccine will "boost" or increase the protection that the patient had from an earlier dose.

Diphtheria is a serious illness that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems, nerve damage, pneumonia, and possibly death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater in very young children and in the elderly.

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a serious illness that causes convulsions (seizures) and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 percent of cases.

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious disease that causes severe spells of coughing that can interfere with breathing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Children 10 years of age and older, and adults, may need an additional immunization called a booster against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Adults and teenagers should receive Tdap instead of the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) injection if it has been 10 years or more since their last tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Tdap vaccine is recommended for adults who are in close contact with a baby who is less than a year old and for adults who work in the healthcare field.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases that can cause life-threatening illnesses. Although some serious side effects can occur after a dose of Tdap (usually from the pertussis vaccine part), this rarely happens. The chance of your child catching one of these diseases, and being permanently injured or dying as a result, is much greater than the chance of your child getting a serious side effect from the Tdap vaccine.

This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using Adacel

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Adacel® and Boostrix® are not used in children younger than 10 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that teenagers be given a Tdap vaccine instead of the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine. The committee is also encouraging all teenagers, even those who have already received Td, to get a Tdap booster to help protect against pertussis (eg, whooping cough). If you have questions about whether your teenager should receive Tdap, contact your doctor.

Geriatric

Adacel® is not used in adults 65 years of age and older.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Boostrix® in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Elivaldogene Autotemcel
• Teplizumab-mzwv
• Ublituximab-xiiy

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Brachial neuritis (nerve problem) or
• Brain or nerve disorder, unstable or progressive or
• Epilepsy (seizures or convulsions), uncontrolled or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (nerve disorder with paralysis), history of after a vaccine with tetanus or
• Infection, severe or
• Progressive encephalopathy (brain disease) or
• Stroke, active—Your doctor will decide if you or your child should receive this vaccine.

• Encephalopathy (brain disease), history of within 7 days after a pertussis vaccine—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Immunodeficiency disorder (weak immune system)—May not work as well in patients with this condition.

Proper use of Adacel

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis booster vaccine. It may not be specific to Adacel. Please read with care.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this vaccine. It is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

This vaccine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You will receive the first dose of Adacel® or Boostrix® 5 years or more after the last dose of a DTaP series or tetanus toxoid vaccine. The second dose may be given 8 years or more for Adacel® or 9 years or more for Boostrix® after the first dose of Tdap vaccine.

To prevent tetanus, a booster dose of Adacel® or Boostrix® may be given if it has been at least 5 years after you have received a tetanus toxoid vaccine.

To prevent pertussis in babies younger than 2 months of age, Adacel® or Boostrix® is given to women in their third trimester of pregnancy.

You or your child may receive other vaccines at the same time as this one, but in a different body area. You should receive patient instructions for all of the vaccines. Make sure you understand all of the information and talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions.

It is important that you or your child receive all of the shots. Try to keep all scheduled appointments. Make another appointment as soon as possible if you or your child misses a dose of this vaccine.

Precautions while using Adacel

It is very important that you call the doctor right away if you or your child have any unwanted effects after receiving the vaccine. This may include fainting, seizures, a high fever, crying that will not stop, or severe redness or swelling where the shot was given.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you get the injection.

Fainting may occur after you receive this vaccine. You may also have vision changes, numbness or tingling in your arms, hands, or feet, or jerky movements of the arms and legs. Call the doctor right away if you or your child have any of these symptoms.

It is very important to tell the doctor if you or your child are allergic to rubber. The tip caps of the prefilled syringes may contain dry natural latex rubber. This may cause an allergic reaction if you have a latex allergy.

This vaccine will not treat an active infection. If you or your child have a diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis infection, you will need medicine to treat the infection.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Adacel side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Crying for 3 or more hours
• fainting

Rare

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fever of 102.2 degrees F or more
• headache (severe or continuing)
• hives or welts
• itching, especially of the feet or hands
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• seizures
• sleepiness (unusual and continuing)
• sweating
• swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)
• vomiting (severe or continuing)

Incidence not known

• Blood in the urine
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• chills
• cough
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• inability to move the arms and legs
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches on the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss of consciousness
• muscle pain or spasms
• nausea
• painful knees and ankles
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness and swelling on the skin, buttocks, legs, or ankles
• skin rash
• stiff neck
• stomach pain
• sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• unexplained weight loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Body aches
• diarrhea
• fever of 99.5 degrees F or more
• redness, swelling, tenderness, pain, or a lump at the injection of site
• tiredness

Incidence not known

• Back pain
• injection site bruising
• muscle or joint pain
• weakness of the muscles in the face

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Frequently asked questions

• DTaP vs Tdap Vaccines - What''s the difference between them?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer