Heplisav-B
Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are vaccines used to lower your risk of getting a hepatitis B infection from the virus. Both vaccines are given as an injection into the muscles. They're only approved for adults age 18 years and older. The most common side effect of Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio is pain at the injection site, which usually gets better with second or third dose.
What is Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)?
What is Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) used for?
- Prevention of hepatitis B in adults 18 years of age and older
How Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) works
Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are inactivated vaccines that protect you from hepatitis B caused by the virus. Both vaccines use some parts of a killed hepatitis B virus to help your body's immune system make antibodies. If you ever become infected with hepatitis B, these antibodies can fight off the infection for you by destroying the viruses.
Drug facts
Side effects of Hepatitis B vaccine (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
Please note: The following side effects are those reported with Heplisav-B. Side effects are less likely to happen after the second dose.
- Injection site pain (35-39%)
- Fatigue (14-17%)
- Headache (13-17%)
- General feeling of sickness (7-9%)
Please note: The following side effects are those reported with PreHevbrio. Side effects are less likely to happen after the second and third dose.
- Injection site pain (27–58%)
- Tenderness (30– 59%)
- Muscle pain (12–30%)
- Fatigue (12- 28%)
- Headache (7–25%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Redness at injection site
- Swelling at injection site
- Fever
- Itching
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: Hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following Hepatitis B vaccine (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.
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Pros and cons of Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
Pros
- Heplisav-B is a 2-dose series, which is more convenient than the other hepatitis B vaccines that are 3-dose series
- PreHevbrio is the first hepatitis B vaccine that contains 3 antigens, which might better protect you against hepatitis B
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Doesn't contain latex (unlike Recombivax HB and Engerix-B)
Cons
- Only for adults 18 years of age and older
- Only given as an injection into the muscles
- Must be given by a healthcare professional at a provider’s office, clinic, or pharmacy
- Might not work well in people with weakened immune system
Pharmacist tips for Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
- If you're traveling and not previously vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B), check if hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) is recommended for your destination.
- It's recommended to not give blood for at least 3 weeks after receiving hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) because you'll still have some of the virus from the vaccine in your system. You can't infect anyone with the virus from the vaccine, since it's not a live virus. But your blood sample might test positive for hepatitis B and if so, you won't be allowed to donate blood in the future.
- Depending on your risk for hepatitis B, your provider might recommend you get a booster dose if your blood level of antibodies against hepatitis B are low, even if you completed the full series of the vaccine.
- Make sure to mark the dates on your calendar of when you need to go in for your next hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) injection so that you stay fully protected against hepatitis B. Try to stay on schedule as best as possible. If you miss or are planning to miss a dose, talk with your provider right away about rescheduling your appointment.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B). This is so that your healthcare providers can make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until you're healthy to get hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B). This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever, you can still get hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B). But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not you can get hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B).
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B).
- If you experience a severe reaction to hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B), you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are hepatitis B vaccines for adults 18 years of age and older who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated from hepatitis B. Both vaccines are for certain people who either want protection from hepatitis B or for people who are at risk for hepatitis B, including people with liver problems or people who frequently travel to countries with higher rates of hepatitis B. Please note that if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system (e.g., on hemodialysis), Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio might not be good options since more studies are needed to make sure they are safe and effective for you.
Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) lowers your risk for hepatitis B, which can be a life-threatening infection. Hepatitis B is spread through direct contact (e.g., birth, sex, sharing needles) from bodily fluids (e.g., blood, semen) infected with hepatitis B. Short-term symptoms of hepatitis B include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stool, joint pain, and yellowing of skin or eyes. Long-term hepatitis B infection can cause liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. While there isn't any specific treatment for short-term hepatitis B, there are several medications available for treatment of long-term hepatitis B, but these medications can have a lot of side effects and can be expensive.
There're currently 4 vaccines specifically for hepatitis B: Engerix B, Recombivax HB, Heplisav-B, and PreHevbrio. Engerix B and Recombivax HB can be given to children and adults and are both 3-dose series. Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are only for adults. While Heplisav-B is a 2-dose series, PreHevbrio is a 3-dose series. In addition, PreHevbrio is the first hepatitis B vaccine with 3 antigens (viral protein), which means it might be more effective in protecting you against hepatitis B. Please note that there are also combination vaccines that combines the hepatitis B vaccine with vaccines for other infections. These vaccines are more convenient because it means you might be able to receive less injections. Examples of combination vaccines that also contain a hepatitis B vaccine include Twinrix, Pediarix, and Vaxelis.
Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) is given as an injection into the muscles by a healthcare provider. It's not a vaccine you can pick up at the pharmacy and give to yourself at home. Since both Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are newer vaccines, they might be hard to find. If you can't find them at your local pharmacy, ask your provider or pharmacist for help.
If you're pregnant and are at risk of hepatitis B, you're recommended to get vaccinated for hepatitis B vaccine with either Engerix B or Recombivax HB. But the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) doesn't currently recommend Heplisav-B or PreHevbrio for people who are pregnant since there aren't enough studies to show that these vaccines are safe for the mother and unborn baby. If you're pregnant and have been given Heplisav-B or PreHevbrio, you should register for the pregnancy exposure registry that monitors your health outcomes by calling 1-844-443-7734.
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Risks and warnings for Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
Hepatitis B vaccine (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.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Allergic reaction to other vaccines
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B). If it's your first dose, your provider will typically ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine. This is to make sure you 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 have symptoms such as feeling faint, face swelling, tightness in your throat, difficulty breathing, hives, rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk of hepatitis B, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have a history of immune system problems (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency disease) or cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications), Engerix B or Recombivax HB might be better options for you. Talk with a provider or pharmacist about your medical history before receiving any vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $155.99 | $155.99 |
Typical dosage for Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)
Both Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are hepatitis B vaccines for adults 18 years of age and older:
- Heplisav-B: The typical dose is 2 injections into the muscles, given one month apart from each other, by a healthcare provider.
- PreHevbrio: The typical dose is 3 injections into the muscles, given at months 0, 1, and 6 by a healthcare provider.
Interactions between Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) and other drugs
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 Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) cost?
$155.99
Hepatitis B vaccine (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 Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergic reaction to yeast
What are alternatives to Hepatitis B vaccine (Heplisav-B)?
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