Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Pentacel IM Uses and How to Use


IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

Table of Contents

Generic Name: DIPHTHERIA/TETANUS/PERTUSSIS/POLIO/HAEMOPHILUS VACCINE - INJECTION
Pronounced: (dip-THEER-ee-uh/TET-un-us/per-TUSS-iss/,POE-lee-oh/hee-MAW-fih-liss)

Pentacel IM Uses

This medication is a combination of vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae B infection. Vaccination is the best way to protect against these life-threatening infections. Vaccines work by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies).

This combination of vaccines is usually used in infants and children who are between 6 weeks and 4 years old.

How To Use Pentacel IM

Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider.

This medication is injected into a muscle by a health care professional. It is usually given in the thigh or upper arm.

Vaccines are usually given in a series of doses to provide the best protection. Closely follow the vaccination schedule provided by the doctor. Keep all scheduled medical appointments. It may be helpful to mark a calendar as a reminder. There are various combinations of vaccines available. Based on your child's age, vaccination history, and previous reaction to vaccines, the health care professional will decide which vaccines are best for your child. Discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the health care professional.

This combination of vaccines may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines (such as hepatitis, measles/mumps/rubella) using a separate needle and injection site.


CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Information last revised August 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.