What are the effects and side effects of tetanus shots?

Tetanus antitoxin is an injectable liquid extracted from horse serum and is mainly used to treat tetanus-like infections. So what are the effects and side effects of tetanus shots?

Characteristics

The product is a colorless or light yellow clear liquid, which can precipitate a small amount of precipitate that can be shaken off after long-term storage.

Pharmacological Action

This product contains specific antibodies that have the effect of neutralizing tetanus toxin and can be used for the prevention and treatment of Clostridium tetani infection.

Indications

Used to prevent and treat tetanus. When tetanus or suspected symptoms have appeared, antitoxin treatment should be used promptly while undergoing surgical treatment and other therapies. When there is a risk of tetanus infection due to open wounds (especially those that are deep and severely contaminated), prevention should be carried out in a timely manner. Anyone who has received tetanus toxoid immunization should receive another injection of toxoid to boost immunization after injury, and there is no need to inject antitoxin. Those who have not received toxoid immunization or have an unclear immunization history must be injected with antitoxin for prevention, but should also start toxoid preventive injections at the same time to obtain lasting immunity.

Dosage

Usage: Subcutaneous injection should be given at the attachment of the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. When toxoids are injected simultaneously, the injection sites must be separated. Intramuscular injections should be given in the middle of the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or in the upper outer part of the gluteus maximus. Intravenous injection can only be used for patients who have not responded to subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Intravenous injection should be slow, not exceeding 1 ml per minute at the beginning, and not exceeding 4 ml per minute thereafter. The intravenous injection should not exceed 40 ml at a time, and for children, it should not exceed 0.8 ml per kg of body weight. The antitoxin can also be added to glucose injection, sodium chloride injection and other infusions for intravenous drip. Before intravenous injection, heat the ampoule in warm water to close to body temperature. If any abnormal reaction occurs during injection, stop immediately.

Dosage:

1. Prevention: 1500-3000 IU subcutaneously or intramuscularly for one time. The dosage for children is the same as that for adults. For patients with serious injuries, the dosage can be increased by 1-2 times. If the risk of tetanus infection has not been eliminated after 5 to 6 days, the injection should be repeated.

2. Treatment: The first intramuscular or intravenous injection is 50,000 to 200,000 IU. The dosage for children is the same as that for adults. The injection dosage and interval time will be determined based on the condition of the patient. At the same time, an appropriate amount of antitoxin can be injected into the tissue around the wound. For neonatal tetanus, 20,000 to 100,000 IU should be given intramuscularly or intravenously in divided doses within 24 hours.

Adverse Reactions

1. Anaphylactic shock: It may occur suddenly during the injection or within a few minutes to tens of minutes after the injection. The patient suddenly becomes depressed or irritable, pale or flushed, has chest tightness or shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea or abdominal pain, a rapid and weak pulse, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, the patient may become unconscious and collapse. If not treated in time, he or she may die quickly. If the patient experiences itchy eyes, it means the allergic reaction has spread throughout the body. Mild cases can be relieved by injecting epinephrine; severe cases require fluid and oxygen infusion, pressor drugs to maintain blood pressure, and anti-allergic drugs and corticosteroids for rescue.

2. Serum sickness: The main symptoms are urticaria, fever, swollen lymph nodes, local edema, and occasionally proteinuria, vomiting, and joint pain. Erythema, itching, and edema may occur at the injection site. The disease usually occurs 7 to 14 days after injection and is called the delayed type. There are also cases where the disease occurs 2 to 4 days after injection, which is called the accelerated type. Serum sickness should be treated symptomatically, using calcium supplements or antihistamines. Generally, recovery can be achieved within a few days to a dozen days.

Taboo

Use with caution in patients with positive allergy test. See desensitization injection method for details.

Special tips: Tetanus antitoxin, indications and adverse reactions. The above introduces the properties, pharmacological actions, usage and dosage, as well as adverse reactions of tetanus antitoxin. I believe you have fully understood this medicine. Finally, the editor reminds friends not to inject privately. If necessary, be sure to go to a regular hospital for the injection to avoid other adverse reactions.