Kinrix

Kinrix is a vaccine used for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), and polio (poliomyelitis) in children 4 through 6 years of age.

Kinrix Overview

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Kinrix is a vaccine used for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), and polio (poliomyelitis).

Kinrix is given as a shot into the upper arm. 

Common side effects of Kinrix include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. 

How was your experience with Kinrix?

First, a little about yourself

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What are you taking Kinrix for?

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  • Other
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Kinrix work for you?

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Uses of Kinrix

Kinrix is a vaccine used for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), and polio (poliomyelitis) as the fifth dose in the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series and the fourth dose in the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) series in children 4 through 6 years of age whose previous DTaP vaccine doses have been with Infanrix and/or Pediarix for the first three doses and Infanrix for the fourth dose.

Generics

Kinrix consists of multiple generic medications. The generic medications are listed below.

Diphtheria Toxoid

For more information on this medication choose from the list of selections below.

Tetanus Toxoid

For more information on this medication choose from the list of selections below.

Kinrix Drug Class

Kinrix is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Kinrix

Side effects reported with Kinrix include:

  • pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
  • increase in arm circumference
  • drowsiness
  • fever
  • loss of appetite

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Kinrix. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

Kinrix Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you use:

  • immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids

This is not a complete list of Kinrix drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Kinrix Precautions

  • Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of  allergic reactions, which include the following:
    • chest pain
    • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
    • difficulty breathing or swallowing
    • rash
  • Adverse reactions with prior pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. If any of the following events occur within the specified period after receiving a pertussis vaccine, the decision to get Kinrix vaccine should be based on careful consideration of potential benefits and possible risks.
    • Temperature of ≥40.5°C (105°F) within 48 hours, not attributable to another identifiable cause.
    • Collapse or shock-like state (hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (HHE)) within 48 hours.
    • Persistent, inconsolable crying lasting ≥3 hours within 48 hours.
    • Seizures with or without fever within 3 days.
  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome. There is a causal relationship between tetanus toxoid and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.
  • Previous history of seizures. For infants or children with a history of previous seizures, an appropriate fever reducer may be given at the time of vaccination and for the following 24 hours, to reduce the possibility of post-vaccination fever.
  • Fainting. Fainting can occur in association with administration of Kinrix.

Do not get Kinrix if your child:

  • had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis- or poliovirus-containing vaccine, or to any component of Kinrix, including neomycin and polymyxin B
  • had encephalopathy (e.g., coma, decreased level of consciousness, prolonged seizures) within 7 days of administration of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine that is not attributable to another identifiable cause
  • has a progressive neurologic disorder, including infantile spasms, uncontrolled epilepsy, or progressive encephalopathy 

Kinrix Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Kinrix, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Inform MD

Tell your healthcare provider your child:

  • had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis- or poliovirus-containing vaccine, or to any component of Kinrix, including neomycin and polymyxin B
  • had encephalopathy (eg, coma, decreased level of consciousness, prolonged seizures) within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis containing vaccine that is not attributable to another identifiable cause
  • have progressive neurologic disorder, including infantile spasms, uncontrolled epilepsy, or progressive encephalopathy

Tell you doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Kinrix and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Kinrix falls into category C. No studies have been conducted in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Kinrix should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

Kinrix and Lactation

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Kinrix crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Kinrix.

Kinrix Usage

Kinrix is given by a healthcare provider as a shot into the upper arm. 

Kinrix Dosage

Kinrix is given by a healthcare provider as a single 0.5-mL dose injected into the upper arm. 

Kinrix is used for the fifth dose in the DTaP immunization series and the fourth dose in the IPV immunization series in children 4 through 6 years of age (prior to the seventh birthday) whose previous DTaP vaccine doses have been with Infanrix and/or Pediarix for the first three doses and Infanrix for the fourth dose

Kinrix Overdose

Kinrix is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.