Twinrix

Twinrix is a vaccine used to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B, two viral diseases that affect the liver. It is produced by GlaxoSmithKline, a British multinational pharmaceutical company.

Composition

Twinrix is a combination vaccine that contains inactivated Hepatitis A virus and recombinant Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). The Hepatitis A component is produced by growing the virus in human MRC-5 cells, while the Hepatitis B component is produced by yeast cells that have been genetically modified to produce HBsAg.

Indications

Twinrix is indicated for active immunization against diseases caused by Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B viruses in persons aged 18 years and older. The vaccine is particularly recommended for individuals who are at increased risk of exposure to these viruses, such as travelers to endemic areas, healthcare workers, and people with chronic liver disease.

Administration

Twinrix is administered as an injection into the muscle. The standard dosing schedule includes three doses: the first dose at the elected date, the second dose one month later, and the third dose six months after the first dose.

Efficacy

Clinical trials have shown that Twinrix is highly effective in preventing Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. The vaccine induces protective antibody levels against both viruses in more than 95% of adults who complete the three-dose schedule.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Twinrix include pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Serious side effects are rare but can include allergic reactions.

Contraindications

Twinrix should not be given to individuals with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or to yeast. It is also contraindicated in individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B vaccine.

See Also

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Vaccine
• GlaxoSmithKline