Drug Info: D: Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Systemic)

In the U.S.—

In Canada—

Other commonly used names are acellular DTP; DTaP; DTP;DTwP; whole-cell DTP.

• Immunizing agent, active

Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis(dif-THEER-ee-a and TET-n-us and per-TUS-iss) vaccine (alsoknown as DTP) is a combination immunizing agent given byinjection to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

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

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a serious illness thatcauses convulsions (seizures) and severe muscle spasms thatcan 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 seriousdisease that causes severe spells of coughing that caninterfere with breathing. Pertussis also can cause pneumonia,long-lasting bronchitis, seizures, brain damage, anddeath.

Immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis isrecommended for all infants and children from 2 months of ageup to their 7th birthday. Children 7 years of age and olderand adults should receive immunizing agents that contain onlydiphtheria and tetanus toxoids and not pertussis vaccine.Adults should receive the diphtheria and tetanus injectionsevery 10 years for the rest of their lives.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseasesthat can cause life-threatening illnesses. Although someserious side effects can occur after a dose of DTP (usuallyfrom the pertussis vaccine in DTP), this rarely happens. Thechance of your child catching one of these diseases and beingpermanently injured or dying as a result is much greater thanthe chance of your child getting a serious side effect fromthe DTP vaccine.

DTP is available in the following dosage form:

• Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking themedicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is adecision you and your doctor will make. For DTP, the followingshould be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if your childhas ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diphtheriatoxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis vaccine, or DTP. Also tellyour health care professional if your child is allergic to anyother substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects inpregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—DTP has not been reportedto cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Use is not recommended forinfants up to 2 months of age.

Older adults—Use is not recommended forpersons older than 7 years of age.

• Allergic reaction to a previous dose of DTP or
• Brain disease or
• Fever—Use of DTP may make the condition worse ormay increase the chance of side effects

Dosing—

The dose of DTP will be different for different patients.The following information includes only the average doses ofDTP.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis:
    • Adults and children 7 years of age andolder—Use is not recommended.
    • Children 2 months to 7 years of age—One doseevery four to eight weeks for a total of three doses,then a fourth dose six to twelve months after the thirddose. A booster dose should be given at 4, 5, or 6years of age. (The booster dose is given only if thefourth dose was given before the child's 4thbirthday.)

At the time of the DTP injection, your doctor may giveyour child a dose of acetaminophen (or another medicine thathelps prevent fever). This is to help prevent some of theside effects of DTP. Your doctor may also want your child totake this medicine every 4 hours for 24 hours after yourchild receives the DTP injection. Check with your doctor ifyou have any questions.

Along with its needed effects, a vaccine may cause someunwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your doctor about anyside effect that occurs after a dose of DTP, even thoughthe side effect may have gone away without treatment. Sometypes of side effects may mean that your child should notreceive any more doses of DTP.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the followingside effects occur:

• Less frequent
  • Collapse; crying for 3 or more hours
  
  

• Rare
  • Confusion; convulsions (seizures); difficulty inbreathing or swallowing; fever of 105 °F (40.5°C) or more; headache (severe or continuing);hives; irritability (unusual); itching, especially offeet or hands; periods of unconsciousness or lack ofawareness; reddening of skin, especially around ears;sleepiness (unusual and continuing); swelling of eyes,face, or inside of nose; unusual tiredness, weakness(sudden and severe); vomiting (severe orcontinuing)
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not needmedical attention. These side effects may go away as yourchild's body adjusts to the vaccine. However, check with yourdoctor if any of the following side effects continue or arebothersome:

• More common
  • Fever between 100.4 and 102.2 °F (38 and 39°C) (may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness,vomiting, and loss of appetite); lump at place ofinjection (may be present for a few weeks afterinjection); redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain atplace of injection
  
  

• Less common
  • Fever between 102.2 and 104 °F (39 and 40°C) (may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness,vomiting, and loss of appetite)
  
  

• Rare
  • Fever between 104 and 105 °F (40 and 40.5°C) (may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness,vomiting, and loss of appetite); skin rash; swollenglands on side of neck (following DTP injection intoarm)
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in somepatients. If you notice any other effects, check with yourdoctor.