Gardasil
Brand Names
GardasilWhat is Gardasil
Gardasil is a vaccine that uses in order to prevent of certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
Side effects of Gardasil
There is a list of the most serious side effects included:
- life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot
- severe stomach pain
- swollen glands
- easy bruising or bleeding, confusion, unusual weakness
- fever, chills, body aches, general ill feeling
- chest pain
- feeling short of breath
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough
- tooth pain, joint or muscle pain
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
- hives
Indication
Gardasil is used to prevent genital warts and cervical/vaginal/anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in girls and young women ages 9 through 26. Gardasil is also used to prevent genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in boys and young men ages 9 through 26. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts, cancer of the cervix and various cancers of the vulva or vagina. Gardasil is given as an injection into the muscle in your upper arm or upper thigh.
Precautions
You should not take Gardasil if you have:
- high fever or signs of infection
- a weak immune system
- a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder such as hemophilia
- if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
Remember that Gardasil will not prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
Dosage forms
There is only one dose of Gardasil for people age 9 to 26, regardless of weight or age. Gardasil is given as a series of three injections:
- First injection: at any time
- Second injection: 2 months after the first dose
- Third injection: 6 months after the first dose
