Dosing and uses of Twinrix (hepatitis a/b vaccine)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
hepatitis A/hepatitis B viruses
IM suspension
- (720 ELISA units/20mcg)/1mL
Hepatitis A & B Immunization
Standard dosing: 1 mL IM at 0, 1, and 6 months
Accelerated dosing: 1 mL IM on days 0, 7, and 21-30, followed by a 4th dose at 12 months
Other Information
Up-to-date vaccination schedules available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/index.htmL
See Also
- Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
<18 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Twinrix (hepatitis a/b vaccine) adverse (side) effects
Suspected adverse events after administration of any vaccine may be reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967
>10%
Soreness (37%)
Headache (22%)
Fatigue (14%)
1-10%
Redness (8%)
Diarrhea (5%)
Nausea (4%)
Fever (4%)
Swelling (4%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to yeast
Cautions
Contains thimerosal (<1 mcg mercury)
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Twinrix (hepatitis a/b vaccine)
Mechanism of action
Inactivated HAV combined with purified HBsAg induce Ab production
Onset: unknown
Duration: unknown
These products convey active immunity via stimulation of production of endogenously produced antibodies
The onset of protection from disease is relatively slow, but duration is long lasting (years)
