Pentacel
Pentacel is a combination vaccine that protects your child from 5 infections: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (collectively known as DTaP), as well as poliomyelitis (or polio) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). This vaccine is a 4-dose series, typically given to children age 6 weeks to 4 years as injections into the muscle.
What is Pentacel?
What is Pentacel used for?
Prevention of:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliovirus
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
How Pentacel works
Pentacel is an inactivated vaccine that protects your child from 4 types of bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Clostridium tetani (tetanus), Bordatella pertussis (pertussis or whooping cough), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)), and 1 virus (poliovirus). The vaccine helps the body's immune system make antibodies that will attack these bacteria or virus if they ever infect your child.
Drug Facts
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of Pentacel?
Common Side Effects
- Tenderness at injection site (39-56%)
- Lack of energy (24-46%)
- Redness at injection site (7-17%)
- Fever (5-16%)
- Swelling at injection site (5-10%)
Other Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Low appetite
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Pentacel
Pros
More convenient since Pentacel is a combination vaccine
Can be given with other vaccines
Works well to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Hib disease
Doesn't contain latex
Cons
Given as an injection into the muscle
Must be given by a healthcare provider at an office, clinic, or pharmacy
Only used for children 6 weeks to 4 years old
Pharmacist tips for Pentacel
Let your child's provider know if your child has a history of seizures. Sometimes, a fever that results from a vaccine can trigger seizures. Your child's provider might recommend that your child take medication to lower fevers (e.g., acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)) before and for up to 1 day after receiving the vaccine to lower the risk of fever and seizures from Pentacel.
If your child has any brain conditions, talk to your child's provider before receiving Pentacel to make sure it's right for them. Your child's provider might hold off on giving your child the vaccine because there can be confusion between the side effects of Pentacel and the signs or symptoms of your child's brain condition.
Most people who receive Pentacel don't have any serious side effects. Side effects are generally mild and should go away on their own in a few days.
Make sure to keep a record of all your child's immunizations and show it to your child's provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Pentacel, to make sure they're receiving all their vaccines on schedule.
Wait until your child is healthy to get Pentacel. This will help make sure their immune system protects them as best as it can. If your child has a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, they can still get Pentacel. But if your child feels moderately to severely sick, wait until they recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your child's provider if you're not sure whether they can get this vaccine.
If you experience a severe reaction to Pentacel, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Frequently asked questions about Pentacel
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Pentacel?
Pentacel can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
Risk factors: Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that your child might have a severe allergic reaction to Pentacel. Your provider might ask you and your child to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure your child can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Side effects from previous whooping cough vaccine
Tell your child's provider if your child has ever had side effects within 2-3 days after receiving a vaccine that contained the whooping vaccine. Symptoms could've included fever, fainting, nonstop crying that lasted at least 3 hours, or seizures with or without a fever. Your child's provider will decide whether Pentacel is a good option for them.
Lower response to Pentacel
Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Pentacel might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Hib even after you've received the vaccine. If your child has any medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease) or cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications), talk to your child's provider before they receive Pentacel.
Fainting
Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Receiving injectable vaccines, such as Pentacel, can cause some people to faint. Early signs of fainting include changes in vision, tingling sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your child's provider know if your child has fainted after vaccines in the past so they can be monitored.
Breathing issues (apnea) in premature babies
Risk factors: Premature birth
Vaccines that are injected into the muscle, like Pentacel, can raise the risk of apnea in babies who were born prematurely. This is a condition where babies have a temporary pause in their breathing, with or without a slowed heart rate or low oxygen level. If your baby was born prematurely, be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Pentacel with your child's provider.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Although very rare, some people have reported getting GBS after they've received Pentacel. GBS is a rare condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Let your child's provider know right away if your child has experienced these symptoms, especially if it occurred within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.
Pentacel dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 2 vials | $115.57 | $57.78 |
Typical dosing for Pentacel
Pentacel is given as an injection into the thigh muscle for (children younger than 1 year of age) or shoulder muscle (children age 1 year and older).
Primary series: The typical dose is a 4-dose series, given as 1 injection at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15-18 months. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
How much does Pentacel cost?
Pentacel contraindications
Brain problem: Having seizures for a long time, not able to respond normally, or having a coma within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
Progressive seizure disorders: Having seizures for a long time after receiving a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine
Get savings updates for Pentacel
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Pentacel and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.