Boostrix and Dextran 40

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / pertussis, acellular / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: injection, suspension
• Other Brand Names: Adacel, Boostrix

Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and 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 interferes 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.

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

Boostrix 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, Boostrix may not provide protection from disease in every person.

• Generic Name: dextran, low molecular weight
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: LMD

Early fluid replacement and plasma volume expansion in the adjunctive treatment of certain types of shock or impending shock (e.g., burns, surgery, hemorrhage, or other trauma in which a circulating volume deficit is present) when whole blood or blood products are not available, or when the need for haste precludes the necessary cross-matching of blood.

Minimizes sludging of blood as a result of microcirculation effects.

Not a replacement for other forms of therapy; complementary to fluids and electrolytes.

Priming fluid (alone or as an additive to other priming fluids) in pump oxygenators for perfusion during extracorporeal circulation.

Prophylaxis of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism for surgical procedures associated with a high risk of thromboembolic complications (e.g., hip surgery).

May be beneficial in patients undergoing hip surgery; however, has not been shown to be more effective than oral anticoagulants or heparin in patients undergoing general surgery.

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) does not recommend as sole method of thromboprophylaxis in elective hip arthroplasty.