Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 13, 2025.
Applies to anthrax vaccine adsorbed: suspension.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, anthrax vaccine adsorbed may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking anthrax vaccine adsorbed:
More common side effects
- pain, redness, tenderness, or limited movement of the arm where the injection is given
Less common side effects
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
Incidence not known
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- hives or welts, skin rash
- joint or muscle pain
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- redness of the skin
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shortness of breath
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects
Some side effects of anthrax vaccine adsorbed may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- headache
- muscle aches and pains
Incidence not known
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- dark-colored urine
- difficulty with moving
- feeling of warmth
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- muscle cramps or spasms
- muscle pain or stiffness
- nausea
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- swollen joints
- trouble sleeping
Precautions
It is very important that you return to your doctor’s office at the right time for the next dose of the vaccine. Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine.
Receiving this vaccine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor right away.
This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after receiving the vaccine.
This vaccine will not treat an anthrax infection that has already started. Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to anthrax. You will need medicine to treat the infection.
The stopper of the vial contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before you start receiving this vaccine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have cancer or are receiving a treatment that may weaken the immune system (eg, a steroid medicine, radiation treatment, or cancer medicines).
For healthcare professionals
Applies to anthrax vaccine adsorbed: injectable suspension, subcutaneous suspension.
General adverse events
The most common adverse events were injection site reactions (tenderness, pain, erythema, edema, arm motion limitation), muscle aches, headache, and fatigue.[Ref]
Local
- Very common (10% or more): Tenderness (72%), erythema (71%), warmth (51%), induration (40%), edema (46%), nodule (42%), itching (26%), arm motion limitation (15%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Bruise
- Postmarketing reports: Lump[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (11%)
- Postmarketing reports: Paresthesia syncope, dizziness, tremor, ulnar nerve neuropathy[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (13%)
- Postmarketing reports: Malaise, pain, cellulitis, flu-like symptoms[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%): Muscle ache, tender/painful axillary adenopathy
- Postmarketing reports: Myalgia, arthralgia, arthropathy, rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, erythema multiforme, anaphylactoid reactions, and Stevens Johnson syndrome)[Ref]
Dermatologic
Gastrointestinal
- Postmarketing reports: Nausea[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Postmarketing reports: Flushing[Ref]
Psychiatric
See also:
Levaquin
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea and skin ...
Amoxil
Amoxil (amoxicillin) is a penicillin antibiotic used to treat many different types of infections ...
Ozempic
Learn about Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes treatment, weight management, cardiovascular ...
Vibramycin
Vibramycin is used for acne, actinomycosis, amebiasis, anthrax, anthrax prophylaxis, bacterial ...
Monodox
Monodox is used for acne, actinomycosis, amebiasis, anthrax, anthrax prophylaxis, bacterial ...
Floxin
Floxin (ofloxacin) is used to treat infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia ...
Levofloxacin
Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections and prevent ...
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic belong to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Learn about side ...
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat many different bacterial infections such as ...
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is used to treat many types of ...
References
1. (2003) "Product Information. Biothrax (anthrax vaccine adsorbed)." Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
More about anthrax vaccine adsorbed
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: bacterial vaccines
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Anthrax vaccine drug information
- Anthrax vaccine (Advanced Reading)
- Anthrax vaccine adsorbed, adjuvanted (Advanced Reading)
Other brands
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Anthrax vaccine adsorbed side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.