Hepatitis B Adult Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 17, 2024.

Applies to hepatitis b adult vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Other dosage forms:

• intramuscular solution, intramuscular suspension

Precautions

It is very important that you or your child return to your doctor’s office at the right time for the second and third dose. Be sure to notify your doctor of any unwanted effects that occur after you or your child receive this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you get the injection.

Tell your doctor if you or your child are allergic to latex. The needle cover and the rubber plunger of the prefilled syringe contain dry natural latex rubber, which may cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy.

This vaccine may not protect you against hepatitis B infection if you are already infected with the virus at the time you receive the shot.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, hepatitis b adult vaccine 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 hepatitis b adult vaccine:

Other side effects

Some side effects of hepatitis b adult vaccine 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:

See also:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hepatitis b adult vaccine: intramuscular solution, intramuscular suspension.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions, headache, and fatigue.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (33.8%), injection site soreness (22%), injection site redness (15.6%), injection site swelling (11.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site induration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site ecchymosis, injection site pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Injection site reaction^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (23.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, drowsiness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, tingling, paresthesia
• Postmarketing reports: Encephalitis, encephalopathy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, neuritis, neuropathy including hypoesthesia, Guillain-Barre syndrome and Bell's palsy, optic neuritis, paralysis, paresis, seizures, syncope, transverse myelitis, vertigo, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, exacerbation of multiple sclerosis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (33.8%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fever, malaise
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, influenza-like symptoms, sweating, achiness, sensation of warmth, lightheadedness, flushing, earache
• Postmarketing reports: Tinnitus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Allergic reaction, anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis, apparent hypersensitivity syndrome^[Ref]

Apparent hypersensitivity syndrome (serum sickness-like) of delayed onset has been reported days to weeks after vaccination, including: arthralgia/arthritis (usually transient), fever, and dermatologic reactions such as urticaria, erythema multiforme, ecchymosis, and erythema nodosum.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Appetite lost
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Irritability
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, insomnia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, upper respiratory infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Upper respiratory tract illnesses, rhinitis, cough, influenza
• Frequency not reported: Pharyngitis
• Postmarketing reports: Apnea, bronchospasm including asthma-like symptoms^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, pain/stiffness in arm, shoulder, or neck
• Postmarketing reports: Arthritis, muscular weakness^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal pain/cramps, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Postmarketing reports: Dyspepsia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphadenopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, petechiae, pruritus, rash, sweating, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, angioedema, eczema, erythema multiforme including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema nodosum, lichen planus, purpura^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing, hypotension
• Postmarketing reports: Palpitations, tachycardia, vasculitis, syncope^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Uveitis
• Postmarketing reports: Conjunctivitis, keratitis, visual disturbances, optic neuritis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal liver function tests^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Postmarketing reports: Herpes zoster, meningitis^[Ref]

Further information

Hepatitis b adult vaccine 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.

Medical Disclaimer