Recombivax HB is a prescription vaccine used to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Recombivax HB is given as an injection into your muscle by a healthcare professional.

Recombivax HB contains recombinant hepatitis B as the active ingredient. (“Recombinant” means the vaccine is made using a lab-made copy of a protein from HBV.)

Recombivax HB is a brand-name biologic vaccine. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generics for biologic drugs.)

Recombivax HB is used to help prevent infection from the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It’s used in adults and children of any age.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that spreads through contact with bodily fluids. It affects your liver and can cause symptoms such as dark urine, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes).

Recombivax HB works by teaching your immune system to recognize HBV and defend against it. If you’re exposed to HBV after getting the vaccine, Recombivax HB helps your body respond quickly to fight against the virus.

If you have questions about receiving Recombivax HB, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Like many vaccines, Recombivax HB may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Recombivax HB may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a vaccine can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Recombivax HB. They can also suggest ways to help reduce or manage side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Recombivax HB can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Recombivax HB that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many vaccines may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Recombivax HB can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Recombivax HB, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

One serious side effect of Recombivax HB that has been reported is low blood pressure, which may lead to dizziness or fainting.

Note: If you’d like to report a side effect you’ve had with Recombivax HB, you can do so through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) website or by calling 800-822-7967. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receive reports made to VAERS.

ALLERGIC REACTION

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

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

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should receive any more doses of Recombivax HB.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Recombivax HB, they may recommend a different hepatitis B vaccine instead.

Below are the commonly used dosage schedules for Recombivax HB, but your doctor will determine the dosage that’s right for you.

Forms

Recombivax HB comes as a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in a single-use vial or syringe. It’s given as an injection into the muscle of your upper arm by a healthcare professional.

You’ll receive Recombivax HB injections at a clinic, doctor’s office, or pharmacy.

Recommended dosage

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

Adults and children of any age can receive Recombivax HB as a 3-dose series. You’ll receive the second dose 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.

Children 11 through 15 years old may receive a 2-dose schedule in certain situations. In this case, the second dose is given 4 to 6 months after the first dose.

Questions about receiving Recombivax HB

Below are some common questions about receiving the Recombivax HB vaccine.

  • What if I miss a dose of Recombivax HB? If you miss an appointment to receive an injection of Recombivax HB, call your pharmacy or doctor’s office to reschedule. It’s important that you receive all doses of the vaccine to get the most protection against HBV.
  • Will I need to use Recombivax HB long term? Recombivax HB is not used as a long-term treatment. The vaccine is typically given in two or three separate doses over 6 months. Your doctor can recommend whether additional doses are needed.
  • How long does Recombivax HB take to work? Recombivax HB starts building protection against HBV after your first dose. However, it may take several weeks after your final dose to develop full protection. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more details.

Below is important information you should consider before receiving Recombivax HB.

Interactions

Certain medications, other vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how a vaccine works. These effects are called interactions.

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.

It’s likely safe to receive other vaccines during the same visit as Recombivax HB.

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.

Lab test interactions

Recombivax HB can affect the results of a hepatitis B titer test. This is a blood test that checks for the hepatitis B virus. Doctors typically will not consider the titer test results reliable until at least 28 days after you’ve received the Recombivax HB vaccine.

If you have questions about Recombivax HB and lab tests, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to receive Recombivax HB during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before receiving this vaccine.

Warnings

Recombivax HB can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Recombivax HB is a good vaccine option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before receiving this vaccine. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Recombivax HB. What you’ll pay for this vaccine may depend on certain factors, such as where you receive it.

You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Recombivax HB when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)

Learn more about saving money on your prescriptions.

Other hepatitis B vaccines are available, including Engerix-B and Heplisav-B. Recombivax HB is typically given in two or three doses. Engerix-B is usually given in three doses, while Heplisav-B is given in two doses.

If you’d like to explore an alternative to Recombivax HB, talk with your doctor. They can explain other hepatitis B vaccine options and help you choose the one that’s right for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.