Recombivax HB is a brand-name injection prescribed to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Recombivax HB contains an active ingredient made from parts of HBV and belongs to the vaccine drug class.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Recombivax HB below.

  • Vaccine form: liquid suspension given as an intramuscular injection
  • Generic or biosimilar available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 1986

Recombivax HB is available only as a brand-name vaccine. It’s a biologicTrusted Source made from parts of the hepatitis B virus. It’s not currently available in a biosimilarTrusted Source form.

Unlike traditional drugs, biologics are not made from chemicals and cannot be copied exactly. Instead of generic forms, biologics have biosimilars.

Like generics, biosimilars are considered to be as safe and effective as the original brand-name form. And like generics, biosimilars tend to cost less than the brand-name form.

The Recombivax HB dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your age
  • whether you have severe kidney problems or are receiving dialysis
  • whether you’re receiving two or three doses of the vaccine

The following information describes the vaccine schedule that is commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to follow the schedule your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage and schedule to fit your needs.

Vaccine forms and strengths

Recombivax HB comes as a 0.5-milliliter (mL) or 1-mL injectable suspension in single-use vials and syringes.

A healthcare professional will give the vaccine as an intramuscular injection, usually in your upper arm. You may receive Recombivax HB injections at a doctor’s office or pharmacy.

Dosage for prevention of hepatitis B

Recombivax HB is recommended to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

The usual dose for adults ages 18 or 19 years is 0.5 mL per injection. For adults at least 20 years of age, the usual dose is 1 mL per injection.

Adults typically receive three doses of Recombivax HB. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose is given 6 months after the first dose.

Pediatric dosage

Recombivax HB is recommended to help prevent infection from HBV in children. Depending on the child’s age, they may receive a two-dose or three-dose series.

Children of any age can receive three doses of Recombivax HB. The usual dose is 0.5 mL per injection. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose is given 6 months after the first dose.

Children ages 11 through 15 years may receive two doses of Recombivax HB. The usual dose is 1 mL per injection, with the second dose given 4 to 6 months after the first dose.

Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide which schedule is best for your child.

About receiving Recombivax HB

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

  • When to receive: Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about getting the Recombivax HB vaccine. They can help you decide whether the vaccine is right for you.
  • If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of the Recombivax HB vaccine, schedule an appointment to get it as soon as possible. You will not need to restart the vaccine series. However, you should receive all the recommended doses of the vaccine to get the most protection against HBV.
  • Length of use: Doctors usually do not prescribe Recombivax HB as a long-term treatment. Typically, only two or three doses of Recombivax HB are needed. That said, doctors may recommend booster doses of this vaccine in certain situations. Your doctor can tell you more about this.

Recombivax HB can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur after you receive Recombivax HB. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Recombivax HB, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Recombivax HB, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Recombivax HB. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Recombivax HB’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Recombivax HB can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Recombivax HB aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include low blood pressure, which may cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and lightheadedness.

Side effects in children

Recombivax HB is approved to prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus in children of any age.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects in children were as follows:

  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • irritability
  • loss of appetite
  • runny nose

If you have questions about how Recombivax HB may affect your child, talk with their doctor or a pharmacist.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Recombivax HB can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should continue receiving doses of the vaccine.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Recombivax HB, your doctor may recommend a different vaccine instead.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves vaccines such as Recombivax HB for certain uses.

Recombivax HB for prevention of hepatitis B

Recombivax HB is FDA approved to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in people of any age.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects your liver. Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

To learn more about hepatitis B, talk with your doctor.

Recombivax HB and children

Recombivax HB is approved to help prevent infection from HBV in children of any age.

To learn more about this condition, see “Recombivax HB for prevention of hepatitis B” above. You can also talk with your child’s doctor.

Recombivax HB is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any of these interactions in the vaccine’s prescribing information.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Recombivax HB.

You can also safely receive other vaccines during the same visit when receiving Recombivax HB. Your healthcare professional will use a different injection site for each vaccine.

Before receiving Recombivax HB, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions with lab tests

Recombivax HB may affect the results of a hepatitis B titer, which is a blood test that checks for the hepatitis B virus. For this reason, doctors usually wait at least 28 days after the vaccination before considering the test results reliable.

As with all medications, the cost of Recombivax HB can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Recombivax HB. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Recombivax HB or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Generic or biosimilar version: Recombivax HB is not available in a biosimilarTrusted Source form. It’s a brand-name biologicTrusted Source vaccine made from parts of the hepatitis B virus. Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name biologic drugs.

Other hepatitis B vaccines are available to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Recombivax HB, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other vaccines that are suitable for you.

Examples of other hepatitis B vaccines include Engerix-B and Heplisav-B.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Recombivax HB and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Recombivax HB should be given during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine.

Recombivax HB and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Recombivax HB should be given while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine. They can tell you more about any nursing implications of the vaccine.

Recombivax HB is a vaccine that helps prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It’s made from parts of HBV.

Recombivax HB’s mechanism of action (how it works) is to teach your immune system to make proteins that target HBV. In this way, the vaccine helps your body target and kill this virus if you are exposed to it.

If you have other questions about how Recombivax HB works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug comes with several precautions.

Before receiving Recombivax HB, discuss your health history with your doctor. Recombivax HB may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Recombivax HB, see the “Recombivax HB side effects” section.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.