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Heplisav-B
Used for Hepatitis B
Used for Hepatitis B
Heplisav-B is a vaccine that helps protect against hepatitis B infection from the hepatitis B virus. It's approved for adults ages 18 years and older. Heplisav-B is given as an injection into the shoulder muscle by a healthcare professional. The complete vaccine series is 2 doses given a month apart. Common side effects are pain at the injection site and tiredness.
What is Heplisav-B?
What is Heplisav-B used for?
- Prevention of hepatitis B in adults
How Heplisav-B works
Heplisav-B is a type of inactivated vaccine. It contains a small piece of an inactivve form of the hepatitis B virus. Your immune system then makes antibodies and other defenses against the virus. If you're exposed to the hepatitis B virus later, your immune system can respond faster and help protect you from infection.
When does Heplisav-B start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Heplisav-B |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Vaccine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Heplisav-B
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pain at injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
Less Common Side Effects
- Redness at injection site
- Swelling at injection site
- Itching at injection site
- Generally feeling unwell
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Heplisav-B serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
When do Heplisav-B possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Pain at injection site
Tiredness
Headache
The following Heplisav-B side effects have also been reported
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:
More common
Fever of 37.7 degrees C (100 degrees F) or higher
Rare
Aches or pain in the joints, fever, or skin rash or welts (may occur days or weeks after receiving the vaccine)
blurred vision or other vision changes
confusion
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
itching, especially of the feet or hands
muscle weakness
numbness or tingling of the arms and legs
reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
sweating
swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)
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
Dizziness
headache
soreness at the injection site
Less common
Hard lump, redness, swelling, pain, itching, purple spot, tenderness, or warmth at the injection site
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Aches or pain in the muscles
agitation
back pain or stiffness or pain in neck or shoulder
chills
difficulty with moving
feeling of warmth
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache (mild), sore throat, runny nose, or fever (mild)
increased sweating
lack of appetite or decreased appetite
nausea or vomiting
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach cramps or pain
sudden redness of skin
swelling of glands in the armpit or neck
trouble with sleeping
unable to sleep
welts
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.
Pros and cons of Heplisav-B
Pros
- Only requires 2 doses given 1 month apart
- Can be given at the same visit with other vaccines
Cons
- Approved only for adults 18 years and older
- Can cause pain where the vaccine is given
Pharmacist tips for Heplisav-B
- You can usually get Heplisav-B if you have a mild illness, such as a cold. But if you feel very sick, you might need to wait until you feel better. Ask a healthcare professional if you're not sure whether you should get the vaccine.
- Be sure you get both doses of Heplisav-B. You'll get your second dose 1 month after the first. Keep a record of your first dose and mark when your next one is due. If you miss your second dose, call your healthcare professional to reschedule it as soon as possible. Getting both doses helps provide full protection against hepatitis B.
- It's common for your arm to feel sore after getting Heplisav-B. The soreness usually goes away within a few days. Gently moving your arm and using a cool compress can help you feel more comfortable.
- If you have travel plans: Check if hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for where you're traveling. If it is, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about getting vaccinated before your trip. Heplisav-B is one option for hepatitis B vaccination.
- If you plan to donate blood: Wait at least 3 weeks after getting Heplisav-B before donating blood. The vaccine can make some hepatitis B test results look positive for a short time, even if you don't have hepatitis B. Waiting can help prevent incorrect test results and problems with donating blood.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on Heplisav-B.
Risks and warnings for Heplisav-B
Heplisav-B 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.
Allergic reaction
Allergic reactions like anaphylaxis are possible with Heplisav-B. Your vaccinator might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short time after you get your shot. This is so they can help you if an allergic reaction happens. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, hives, dizziness, or feel faint after getting Heplisav-B.
Weaker immune response in people with a weak immune system
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
If you have a weakened immune system, your immune system might not respond as strongly to Heplisav-B. This means you might have less protection against hepatitis B after vaccination.
Tell your vaccinator about your health conditions and medications before getting Heplisav-B. Conditions, like HIV or cancer, can weaken your immune system. Some medications, like high-dose steroids or transplant medications, can also weaken it. Your care team can discuss additional ways to help protect you from hepatitis B.
Heplisav-B dosage
The average cost for 1 syringe of 0.5ml of Heplisav-B is $156.08 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 37.56% off the average retail price of $249.98. 
Syringe
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $156.08 | $156.08 |
Interactions between Heplisav-B and other drugs
Heplisav-B may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Heplisav-B. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Heplisav-B cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Heplisav-B (brand)
$156.08
Heplisav-B contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Heplisav-B will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy after any previous hepatitis B vaccine
- Allergy to yeast
What are alternatives to Heplisav-B?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Heplisav-B. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Heplisav-B
Heplisav-B images
