Quadracel (PF)

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

Vaccines may not fully protect everyone who receives them.

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

This vaccine 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 health care professional. Keep all scheduled medical appointments. It may be helpful to mark a calendar as a reminder. There are various combinations of vaccines available. Discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the health care professional.

Pain/swelling/redness at the injection site may occur. Mild fever, drowsiness, tiredness, headache, nausea, and loss of appetite may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell the health care professional promptly. Consult the health care professional about the temporary use of acetaminophen to treat pain and fever due to this vaccine.

Rarely, some people have symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, vision changes, or ringing in the ears just after getting a vaccine injection. Tell the health care professional right away if your child has any of these symptoms. Sitting or lying down may help, since these symptoms usually don't last long.

Remember that your health care professional has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your health care professional right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: high fever (105 degrees F/40 degrees C or higher), numbness/tingling, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact the health care professional.

Contact the health care professional for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Before receiving the vaccine, tell the health care professional if you are allergic to it; or to any other vaccine; or to neomycin or polymyxin B; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as latex), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your health care professional for more details.

Before receiving this vaccination, tell the health care professional your medical history, especially of: current fever/illness, immune system disorders (such as due to HIV infection, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma, cancer or radiation treatment), brain/nervous system disorders (such as seizures), history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

During pregnancy, this vaccine should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care professional.

It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. Consult your health care professional before breast-feeding.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this vaccine include: drugs that weaken the immune system (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids such as prednisone).

Not applicable.

It is important that you or your child receives each vaccination as scheduled. Be sure to make a note of when you or your child received the last vaccination.

Keep vaccine records for yourself and all of your children, and after your children are grown provide their records to them and their health care professionals. This will prevent unnecessary re-vaccinations.