Adacel is a combination vaccine indicated to protect treated patients against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. This immunization is administered as a single intramuscular upper arm injection in patients between the ages of 11 and 64. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid treatment with this vaccine due to unknown fetal or infant medical complications. Patients should discuss Adacel vaccine side effects with a doctor prior to receiving this vaccination.
Injection Site Reaction
The most common side effect of Adacel reported by approximately 60 to 80 percent of patients during clinical trials for this vaccination was pain at the injection site, according to RxList. Additional injection-site side effects can include swelling or redness. These side effects typically arise during or immediately after immunization with Adacel and can persist for a few hours or days. Severe injection site reaction side effects are rare, but patients who experience persistent pain or extensive swelling should contact a doctor.
Fever or Headache
Treatment with Adacel can cause fever or headache side effects in certain patients. Fever symptoms are typically low-grade and most frequently range between 100.4 and 101.9 degrees F, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports. Adolescent patients between the ages of 11 and 17 are at an increased risk of developing fever side effects following Adacel immunization. Headache side effects may be moderate in severity but can be controlled through the use of an over-the-counter analgesic medication. These side effects of the Adacel vaccine typically subside within a day or two of treatment. Patients who experience high or prolonged fever side effects should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Flulike Side Effects
Flulike side effects can arise in certain patients following treatment with Adacel. Such side effects can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, joint or body pain, chills, or fatigue, Drugs.com reports. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and may affect a patient's ability to remain active and alert immediately after receiving this vaccine. A patient who experiences a seizure or faints within a week following Adacel immunization should receive prompt medical care.
Anaphylaxis
Rarely, patients treated with Adacel can develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, RxList warns. Affected patients can experience life-threatening side effects, including breathing difficulties, oral swelling or heart rate abnormalities. Anaphylaxis symptoms typically emerge within a few minutes of Adacel treatment and require emergency medical intervention.
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