Tetanus toxoid vaccine - intramuscular

Tetanus toxoid vaccine is used to prevent tetanus.

Tetanus can cause painful contractions of your jaw and neck muscle. The bacteria that causes tetanus enter the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Tetanus toxoid vaccine is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle).

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.

The total number of injections you will receive will be decided by your doctor.

Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Tetanus toxoid vaccine.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.

Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Tetanus toxoid vaccine.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• moderate or severe illness (with or without fever)
• history of Arthrus-type allergic reaction (a rare allergic reaction that can occur after vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus)
• bleeding disorder
• weak immune system
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (a disorder that attacks healthy nerve cells causing numbness and tingling sensation in your arms and legs)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any other vaccinations without first asking your doctor.

Tetanus toxoid vaccine may cause any of the following side effects: fainting, fever, headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, muscle or joint pain, rash, irritability; and redness, pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site.

If you experience symptoms of allergic reaction (e.g. difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat) after leaving the hospital or clinic, alert your doctor quickly.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• blood-thinning medicine e.g. warfarin
• high-dose anti-inflammatory medicine e.g. prednisone
• medicines used for certain immune disorders e.g. belimumab

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.

Protect from light. Light may cause the medication to lose some of its effectiveness.

Keep away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.