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What is tetanus toxoid vaccine?
Tetanus is a serious disease caused by bacteria. Tetanus toxoid vaccine exposes the individual to a small amount of the bacteria (or to a protein from the bacteria) causing the body to develop immunity to the disease. Tetanus (Lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases. Tetanus toxoid vaccine can help prevent tetanus. Tetanus toxoid vaccine is made for people 7 years of age and older. After a person completes the primary immunization schedule, a tetanus toxoid booster dose is needed every 10 years all through life. Talk to your doctor about the tetanus immunization and booster schedule.

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What are the possible side effects of tetanus toxoid vaccine?

Getting tetanus is much riskier than getting the tetanus toxoid vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of tetanus toxoid vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if any of the following rare but serious side effects from tetanus toxoid are experienced:

• a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat; or

• deep, aching pain and muscle wasting in the upper arm(s) starting 2 days to 4 weeks after the shot, and lasting up to many months.

Other less serious side effects, such as soreness redness, or swelling where the shot was given, may be more likely to occur. These side effects usually start within hours to a day or two after vaccination. They may last 1-2 days. Your doctor may recommend reducing pain or soreness from the injection by taking an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24-48 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How are tetanus toxoid vaccine administered?
Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the tetanus toxoid vaccine as an injection. Tetanus toxoid vaccine can help prevent tetanus. Tetanus toxoid vaccine is made for people 7 years of age and older. After a person completes the primary immunization schedule, a tetanus toxoid vaccine booster dose is needed every 10 years all through life. Talk to your doctor about the primary immunization and booster schedule. Tetanus toxoid vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

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What is the most important information I should know about tetanus toxoid vaccine?
Individuals with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting tetanus toxoid vaccine.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if a dose of tetanus toxoid vaccine is missed.

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What other drugs will affect tetanus toxoid vaccine?
Talk to your doctor before receiving tetanus toxoid vaccine if you are taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system: an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort); an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Tetanus toxoid has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Tetanus toxoid is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of tetanus toxoid into human milk.

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What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of tetanus toxoid vaccine is unlikely to occur.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving tetanus toxoid vaccine?
Anyone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of tetanus vaccine should not get another dose. Before receiving tetanus toxoid, talk to your doctor if you: have HIV or AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system; are taking a medication that affects the immune system (e.g. steroids, anti-rejection medications); have cancer; or are receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or medication. Ask your healthcare provider for more information. Tetanus toxoid vaccine may not be recommended in some cases.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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