Adacel and Rivaroxaban

• 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: rivaroxaban
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Xarelto, Xarelto Starter Pack

Rivaroxaban is used to treat or prevent blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). These types of blood clots can occur after knee or hip replacement surgery, and during or after a stay in the hospital when you cannot move around as much as normal.

Rivaroxaban is sometimes used to lower your risk of a blood clot coming back after you have received treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months.

Rivaroxaban is also used in people with atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot.

Rivaroxaban is also given together with aspirin to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious heart problems in people with coronary artery disease (decreased blood flow to the heart) or peripheral artery disease (decreased blood flow to the legs).

Rivaroxaban may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.