Tenivac

Tenivac is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older.

Tenivac is a shot given into the upper arm.

Common side effects of Tenivac are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. 

Tenivac is a vaccine used for the prevention of tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older.

Tenivac vaccine is used:

• in persons who have not been immunized previously against tetanus and diphtheria
• as a routine booster immunization against tetanus and diphtheria
• for post-exposure diphtheria prevention
• for active tetanus immunization in wound management

• Sanofi Pasteur, Inc

Side effects reported with Tenivac include:

• pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• fever
• headache
• muscle weakness
• a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness (malaise)
• pain in joints

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Tenivac. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you use:

• immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids

This is not a complete list of Tenivac drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

• Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of  allergic reactions, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • rash
• Latex. The tip caps of the Tenivac prefilled syringes may contain natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals.
• Frequency of administration. More frequent doses of Tenivac vaccine than recommended may be associated with increased incidence and severity of adverse reactions.
• Arthus reactions. Persons who experienced an Arthus-type hypersensitivity reaction following a prior dose of a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine usually have high serum tetanus antitoxin levels and should not receive Tenivac vaccine more frequently than every 10 years, even for tetanus prevention as part of wound management.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Brachial Neuritis. There is a causal relationship between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.  Brachial neuritis is a term used to describe an inflammation of a network of nerves that originate near the neck and shoulder (brachial plexus) that causes sudden-onset shoulder and arm pain, followed by weakness and/or numbness.
• Limitations of vaccination. Vaccination with Tenivac vaccine may not protect all individuals.
• Altered immunocompetence. If Tenivac vaccine is administered to immunocompromised persons, including persons receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

Do not get Tenivac if you or your child have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of Tenivac vaccine or any other tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine or any other component of this vaccine.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Tenivac, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child:

• had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of Tenivac vaccine or any other tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine or any other component of this vaccine
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are allergic to latex

Tell you doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Tenivac falls into category C. No studies have been conducted in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Tenivac should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Tenivac crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Tenivac.

Tenivac is a vaccine given by a healthcare provider as a shot into the upper arm.

Tenivac is a vaccine given as a shot by your healthcare provider. 

• In persons who have not been immunized previously against tetanus and diphtheria, primary immunization with Tenivac vaccine consists of three 0.5 mL doses. The first 2 doses are administered 2 months apart and the third dose is administered 6-8 months after the second dose.
• Tenivac vaccine may be used for routine booster immunization against tetanus and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older. Routine booster immunization against tetanus and diphtheria is recommended in children 11-12 years of age and every 10 years thereafter.
• Tenivac vaccine may be used for post-exposure diphtheria prevention in persons 7 years of age and older who have not completed primary vaccination, whose vaccination status is unknown, or who have not been vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid within the previous 5 years. Consult recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for additional interventions for diphtheria prophylaxis in close contacts of diphtheria patients
• Tenivac vaccine is approved for wound management of patients 7 years of age and older.The need for active immunization with a tetanus toxoid-containing preparation, with or without passive immunization with Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG) (Human) depends on both the condition of the wound and the patient's vaccination history.

Tenivac is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.