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HyperHEP B® S/D [Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human)]
postexposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B

HyperHEP B® S/D Postexposure Treatment for Hepatitis B

Q&A

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).1

How is it contracted?

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through the blood of a contaminated person to a noncontaminated person. This can be accomplished in numerous ways, such as sexual contact with an infected person; sharing of drugs or needles; percutaneous (through the skin) exposures; tattooing and body piercing in an unsanitary environment; unsafe injections in medical environments in developing countries; needlesticks or sharps if you work in a medical environment; and if a mother is infected, she will pass HBV to her child.1

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms you may encounter if exposed to hepatitis B are nausea; lack of appetite; tiredness; muscle, joint, or stomach pain; fever; diarrhea; vomiting; headache; dark urine; light-colored stool; and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Keep in mind that most adults with acute hepatitis B will show symptoms, but children—especially those under 5 years of age—will not necessarily show any symptoms of hepatitis B.1

How can I prevent hepatitis B?

Considering the seriousness of this disease, prevention is an extremely important aspect in restraining the spread of the disease. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the therapy used to prevent hepatitis B in conjunction with a hepatitis B immune globulin such as HyperHEP B S/D.2

What is a hepatitis B immune globulin and why isn't a vaccine enough?

A hepatitis B immune globulin is a treatment that contains high levels of hepatitis B antibodies. An immune globulin works much faster than a vaccine, but does not last as long. Because of the potentially life-threatening nature of hepatitis B, doctors will give you a hepatitis B immune globulin shot like HyperHEP B S/D and a vaccine to make sure you get the comprehensive care you need.2,3

Quick Facts

  • About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600,000 persons die each year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B4
  • When used in combination with a vaccine, a hyperimmune such as HyperHEP B S/D can prevent the spread of hepatitis B by 85% to 95%5
  • The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV4
  • The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, not through casual contact4

HyperHEP B S/D IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

HyperHEP B S/D should be given with caution to patients with a history of prior systemic allergic reactions following the administration of human immunoglobulin preparations. Epinephrine should be available.

In patients who have severe thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder that would contraindicate intramuscular injections, Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) should be given only if the expected benefits outweigh the risks.

Local pain and tenderness at the injection site, urticaria, and angioedema may occur; anaphylactic reactions, although rare, have been reported following the injection of human immunoglobulin preparations.

Administration of live virus vaccines (eg, MMR) should be deferred for approximately 3 months after Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) administration.

HyperHEP B S/D is made from human plasma. As with all plasma-derived therapeutics, the potential to transmit infectious agents, such as viruses and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) agent that can cause disease, cannot be totally eliminated. There is also the possibility that unknown infectious agents may be present in such products.

For full Prescribing Information, click here.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References:

  1. Immunization Action Coalition. Hepatitis B: questions and answers. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4205.pdf. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FAQs for the public. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/bFAQ.htm. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Principles of vaccination. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/prinvac-508.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2009.

  4. World Health Organization. Hepatitis B key facts. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/print.html. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  5. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the management of occupational exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis. http://www.who.int/occupational_health/activities/5pepguid.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2009.