Daptacel
Generic Name:
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine
Daptacel Description:
Daptacel is the brand name drug of the DTaP vaccine marketed by Sanofi Pasteur Limited of Canada. DTaP vaccine is given to infants and children six weeks through six years of age to prevent the serious illnesses of diphtheria, lockjaw (tetanus) and whooping cough (pertussis). Daptacel, like similar DTaP vaccines, is given as a five-dose series. Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person and tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.
Daptacel Uses:
Daptacel is a vaccination used to immunize against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Daptacel is approved by the FDA for the vaccination of children and infants ranging in age from six weeks to six years old. It is injected into the muscle in a series of five doses.
Since the 1940s, immunizing children against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) has been routine. Because of this, there has been a marked reduction in the disease in the United States. Since 1997, it has been recommended that all doses be a part of a child’s regular vaccination series.
Daptacel works by convincing a patient's immune system into thinking it has been exposed to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, which causes the immune system to produce antibodies that will help fight the infections if future exposure occurs.
Daptacel Interactions:
Daptacel should never be used in the same syringe as other vaccines. Though it is unlikely that Daptacel will interact with other vaccines, there are some potential reactions when Daptacel is administered near the same time as the following medications and substances:
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or heparin
- Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran)
- Certain monoclonal antibodies such as abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), alemtuzumab (Campath), basiliximab (Simulect), daclizumab (Zenapax), efalizumab (Raptiva), and infliximab (Remicade)
- Chemotherapy and radiation thearapies
- Corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, Dexamethasone (Decadron), fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred), prednisone, triamcinolone (Kenalog)
- Mycophenolate (CellCept)
- Sirolimus (Rapamune)
- Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Immunosupressive therapies may also reduce the immune response to Daptacel. Children with altered immunocompetence may not achieve the expected immune system response.
When administered along with the following vaccines, the effectiveness of Daptacel was compromised:
- Hib conjugate vaccine
- IPV
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Pneumococcal conjucate vaccine
- MMR vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
Daptacel Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Daptacel is injected by a nurse or other medical professional in four consecutive doses. The fifth dose is given at a later date. For instance, the dosage schedule is as follows: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.
The dosage amount is 0.5ML for each injection. A medical professional will shake the vial containing the medication until they have achieved a uniform white suspension. He or she will then inspect the vial for particulate and discoloration before administering. This is to ensure the solution is pure.
There is a rubber stopper and metal seal in place and these will not be removed to ensure the medication is extracted properly. The injection is usually given in the thigh to those one year of age or younger. In older children, the deltoid muscle may prove to be a sufficient place for the injection. This is not a vaccine that is administered intravenously or subcutaneously. It must be administered into a muscle in order for it to work properly.
Missing a Dose
A strict vaccination schedule is followed to ensure that a child receives all doses of the vaccine.
Overdosing
There is no instance of overdosing on Daptacel. The vaccine is given by a medical professional in carefully measured doses. Each dose is measured into a syringe and then injected directly into the muscle via the upper arm, the buttocks, or a thigh.
Daptacel FDA Approval:
2002
Daptacel Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There are no recalls or black box warnings that have been issued for Daptacel.
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July 30, 2010, 2:23 pm
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July 30, 2010, 2:13 pm
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July 29, 2010, 12:33 pm
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July 28, 2010, 3:58 pm
