Adacel and Antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent Injection

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / pertussis, acellular / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Adacel, Boostrix

Adacel (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis adult vaccine - also called Tdap) is used to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in people who are at least 10 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

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 the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it can interfere with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Adacel is especially important for healthcare workers or people who have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old.

Adacel vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, the Adacel may not provide protection from disease in every person.

• Generic Name: antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Anavip, CroFab, Antivenin Polyvalent

Pit viper antivenin belongs to a group of medicines known as immunizing agents. It is used to treat the bites of certain poisonous snakes called pit vipers (crotalids), which are native to Central, North, and South America. Pit vipers include rattlesnakes, such as the Eastern and the Western diamond rattlesnakes; copperheads and cottonmouth moccasins, including those of Korea and Japan; the fer-de-lance and similar species; the tropical rattler (Cascabel) and similar species; the Cantil; and the bushmaster of Central and South America.

Pit viper antivenin is to be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor.