Engerix B Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Engerix-B is a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine given as a shot into a muscle to help prevent hepatitis B, a liver disease that can cause mild illness or a serious, lifelong condition. It is recommended for routine vaccination and for people at increased risk of hepatitis B exposure. The vaccine is given as a series of doses, and it is important to follow the vaccination schedule given by your healthcare provider.

What is Engerix B Injection

Engerix-B is a vaccine given as a shot into a muscle to help prevent hepatitis B, a liver disease that can cause mild illness or a serious, lifelong illness. Its generic name is hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant), and it belongs to the viral vaccines / hepatitis B vaccine, recombinant drug class.

Engerix B Injection uses

• Helps prevent infection caused by hepatitis B virus
• Recommended for people at increased risk of hepatitis B, such as health care workers, lab workers who handle blood or specimens, police, fire, and emergency personnel, people with hemophilia, dialysis patients, people who live with someone with long-term hepatitis B, people with multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and people traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common

Benefits of Engerix B Injection

• Helps protect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
• Helps prevent acute and chronic hepatitis B
• Reduces the risk of serious liver complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by chronic HBV infection
• Stimulates the immune system to produce protective antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen
• Is used for routine vaccination and for people at increased risk of hepatitis B exposure
• Can also be used as part of post-exposure protection in certain situations, according to medical guidance

How Engerix B Injection works

The vaccine works by helping your immune system learn to recognize and fight off the hepatitis B virus, so your body builds its own natural defenses against future infection.

Engerix B Injection dosage

Engerix-B is given as a shot into a muscle by a healthcare provider — usually the upper arm for children and adults and the thigh for infants. It may be given under the skin instead for people with a bleeding disorder. It is given as a series of doses, and it is important to closely follow the vaccination schedule your healthcare professional gives you. It may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Read all vaccine information given to you before each vaccination.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection, suspension (recombinant)
• Liquid suspension in prefilled syringes
• Liquid suspension in single-dose vials

Side effects of Engerix B Injection

Common

• Headache
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Tiredness
• Redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Injection site reactions such as pain, soreness, swelling, skin color changes, itching, or irritation

Serious

• Light-headed feeling, like you might pass out (fainting)
• Seizure-like muscle movements
• Fever with swollen glands
• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Burning or tingling sensation in hands or feet
• Vision changes, numbness, or jerking movements of arms or legs along with fainting

Warnings and precautions

• Engerix-B will not protect against hepatitis B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you don't yet have symptoms.
• You should not get Engerix-B if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis B, or if you are allergic to yeast.
• You should not get another dose of Engerix-B if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
• Vaccination may need to be postponed if you have an allergy to yeast or latex, or a weak immune system.
• Getting infected with hepatitis B is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.
• Be sure to receive all recommended doses, or you may not be fully protected against the disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It's not known whether Engerix-B should be used during pregnancy, so talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of the vaccine on the baby.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It's not known whether Engerix-B should be used while breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or are on dialysis, since this may affect your vaccine schedule.
• Tell your doctor if you have hepatitis C or chronic liver disease before receiving this vaccine.
• Alcohol is not known to interact with Engerix-B, and it's likely safe to drink alcohol after receiving the vaccine.

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F).
• Keep in the original packaging to protect from light.
• Do not freeze; discard the vaccine if it has been frozen.
• Maintain the recommended cold chain during storage and transport.
• Do not use after the expiry date or if proper storage conditions were not maintained.
• Keep securely stored and out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel like you might pass out, have seizure-like muscle movements, or have fever with swollen glands.
• Call for emergency help if your symptoms feel life-threatening or you think you're having a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or severe swelling.

Alternatives

• Twinrix
• PreHevbrio
• Heplisav-B
• Recombivax HB