Engerix-B
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is a vaccine used to lower your risk of getting a hepatitis B infection from the hepatitis B virus. It's given as an injection into the muscle. Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is a routine vaccine for all babies, but it can also be given to children and adults.
What is Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)?
What is Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) used for?
- Prevention of hepatitis B
How Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) works
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from hepatitis B caused by the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack the virus if it ever infects you.
Drug facts
Side effects of Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)
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
Recombivax HB (at least 1%):
- Feeling irritated
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue/weakness
- Poor appetite
- Nasal symptoms (runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itching)
Engerix-B
- Soreness at injection site (22%)
- Fatigue (14%)
- Dizziness (1-10%)
- Headache (1-10%)
- Fever (1-10%)
Less Common Side Effects
Recombivax HB (less than 1%):
- Sweating
- Achiness
- Lightheadedness
- Chills
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Itching
- Difficulty sleeping
Engerix-B (less than 1%):
- Low appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low blood pressure
- Back pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Chills
- Stomach pain
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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 (Recombivax HB) 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 (Recombivax HB)
Pros
- Can be given with other vaccines
- Can receive either brand name (Recombivax HB or Engerix-B), regardless of previous brand received
- Protection lasts for at least 30 years in healthy people who received hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) at at least 6 months of age.
Cons
- Recombivax HB and Engerix-B both contain latex, which can be a problem for people with latex allergies.
- Only given as an injection into the muscle
- Must be given by a healthcare professional at a provider’s office, clinic, or pharmacy
Pharmacist tips for Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)
- If you're at risk for hepatitis B, you should get tested before receiving hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) because it might not work as well in people who are unknowingly infected with hepatitis B at the time of receiving the vaccine.
- If you're traveling and not previously vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB), check if hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is recommended for your destination.
- It's recommended to not give blood for at least 3 weeks after receiving hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) because you'll still have some of the virus from the vaccine in your system. This doesn't mean you can 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 is 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 all your hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) injections so that you stay fully protected against hepatitis B. Try to stay on schedule as best as possible, but if you accidentally miss one of the doses in the series, you don't need to start the series over.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immmunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB), to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule.
- Wait until you're healthy to get hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB). 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 (Recombivax HB). 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 this vaccine.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB).
- If you experience a severe reaction to hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB), 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 (Recombivax HB)
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is a routine vaccine recommended for all newborns to adults up to 19 years old. Unvaccinated adults 19 years and older who either want protection from hepatitis B or who are at risk for hepatitis B can receive catch-up vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) or Heplisav B. Or, they can receive a 3-dose series of Twinrix (hepatitis A / hepatitis B vaccine), which is a combination vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. People receiving hemodialysis or who have weakened immune systems might need revaccination with hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) because they're at high risk for hepatitis B. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if you or your child need hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB).
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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.
Engerix B and Recombivax HB are hepatitis B vaccines used in children and adults and are both 3-dose series, while Heplisav B is only for adults and is a 2-dose series. There are also combination vaccines that combines multiple vaccines into one shot. They not only protect against hepatitis B, but also multiple other infections. Examples of combination vaccines that also contain a hepatitis B vaccine include Twinrix, Pediarix, and Vaxelis. There is a newly-approved vaccine to prevent hepatitis B called PreHevbrio that works differently than other vaccines discussed, and should be available in early 2022.
Yes, newborns born to mothers who are positive for hepatitis B (or to mothers who aren't sure whether they're positive for hepatitis B) should also receive Hepagam B (hepatitis B immune globulin), in addition to hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB). Hepagam B (hepatitis B immune globulin) isn't a hepatitis B vaccine, but it contains antibodies that can protect newborns from hepatitis B infection if they were exposed to the virus in the womb.
Yes. In fact, it's recommended for pregnant women who are at risk for hepatitis B to receive the vaccine.
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Risks and warnings for Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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: Latex allergy | 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 (Recombivax HB). Your risk is higher if you're allergic to latex because Recombivax HB and Engerix-B both contain natural rubber latex. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you 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.
Breathing issues (apnea) in premature babies
- Risk factors: Premature birth
Vaccines that are injected into the muscle, like hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB), 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 hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) with your child's provider.
Low birth weight
If your baby weighs less than 2000 g at the time of birth and the mother's hepatitis B antigen test is negative, your baby's provider might recommend for your baby to wait before receiving hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB). However, if the mother's test for hepatitis B infection is positive or unknown, your baby should still receive hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) together with Hepagam B (hepatitis B immune globulin), which is an immune globulin that targets hepatitis B to protect them from infection.
Lower response to hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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 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), don't get hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) until you've talked with your provider first.
Fainting
- Risk factors: Fainting after vaccines in the past
Fainting is associated with injectable vaccines, such as hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB). Signs of fainting include changes in vision, burning sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Let your provider know if you've fainted after vaccines in the past so they can monitor you.
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) dosage
Typical dosage for Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)
The exact dose of hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) you'll receive depends on the brand and formulation you get, your age, and medical conditions.
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is typically given as a 3-dose series, with 1 injection into the muscle at months 0, 1, and 6. Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) is given as an injection into the thigh muscle for babies up to 1 year of age and into the shoulder muscle for adults and older children.
Interactions between Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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 (Recombivax HB) cost?
$35.86
Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB) 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 (Recombivax HB) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergic reaction to yeast
What are alternatives to Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB)?
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