Twinrix®

What Twinrix is used for

Twinrix is a combination vaccine used to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B infection. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are infectious diseases, which cause the liver to be become inflamed (swollen). These diseases are caused by viruses - hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses.


Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually begin 3 to 6 weeks after coming into contact with the virus. These consist of nausea (feeling sick), fever, aches and pains. After a few days the skin and/or the whites of the eyes may become yellowish (jaundice).

The severity and type of symptoms can vary. Hepatitis A is often milder in young children. Most people recover completely but the illness is usually severe enough to keep adults off work for about a month.

The hepatitis A virus can be passed from person to person in food and drink, or by swimming in water contaminated by sewage. Hepatitis A is very common in many parts of the world and the risk of infection is greatest in those areas where hygiene and sanitation are poor. Areas include Asia, India, Africa, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean Basin. Vaccination is recommended for travellers to these areas, including people in the armed forces.

Some groups of people however are at a higher risk of exposure to the disease. Vaccination is recommended for these people:

  • nursing staff and healthcare workers in contact with patients in childrens wards, infectious diseases wards, emergency rooms and intensive care units
  • day-care centre staff particularly where children have not been toilet trained
  • staff and residents of homes for the intellectually disabled
  • sewerage workers
  • men who have sex with men
  • people in contact with an infected person
  • people with chronic liver disease or liver transplants, or people who receive certain blood products.

Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus is found in body fluids such as blood, semen vaginal secretions, or saliva of infected people. You can catch the virus if it can enter your bloodstream. Ways this can happen are through:

  • injection (e.g. needlestick injury, or sharing needles for IV drug use)
  • sexual intercourse
  • sores, cuts or tiny wounds coming into contact with infected fluids (e.g. from a human bite, sharing razors or toothbrushes, or working with human blood or body fluids)
  • an infected mother passing the virus onto her baby during or shortly after birth.

Some people infected with hepatitis B may not look or feel sick yet others will get symptoms. Symptoms may not appear for 6 weeks to 6 months after infection. Sometimes people will only have mild flu-like symptoms, but other people can become very ill. They may be extremely tired, and have dark urine, pale faeces, yellowish skin and/or eyes (jaundice), and other symptoms possibly requiring hospitalisation. There is a risk of serious liver disease, such as cirrhosis (liver scarring) and liver cancer for all chronic hepatitis B carriers.

Some groups of people are at a higher risk of exposure to hepatitis B. Vaccination is recommended for these people:

  • some healthcare workers
  • abusers of injectable drugs
  • people with many sexual partners
  • homosexual men
  • haemodialysis patients or people who receive certain blood products
  • people with chronic liver disease or hepatitis C
  • people in contact with a hepatitis B carrier or an infected person
  • staff and residents of institutions or homes
  • inmates and prison staff at some correctional institutions
  • some travellers to areas where the incidence of hepatitis B is high.

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A or hepatitis B. Vaccination is the best way to protect against infection.

Twinrix will not protect against hepatitis caused by other agents or viruses (such as hepatitis C or hepatitis E). If a person is already infected with hepatitis A or hepatitis B virus at the time of vaccination, Twinrix may not prevent the disease in these people.

Twinrix is not recommended for prevention of hepatitis after exposure for example in the case of needlestick injuries.

Consumer Medicine Information on Twinrix.

Twinrix (Inactivated hepatitis A and recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine) is available as an injection of 720 units of inactivated hepatitis A virus and 20 mcg of hepatitis B protein. Twinrix is a private purchase medicine. You will need to pay for this medicine. Prescription Medicine for immunisation against hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infection.  Use strictly as directed. Twinrix should not be administered if you are sensitive to components of the vaccine or other hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccines. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, are on dialysis, or are pregnant. Side Effects: pain, redness or swelling at injection site, headache, fatigue and nausea have been reported.  Very rarely, allergic reactions have been reported, including anaphylaxis. If you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. Additional Consumer Medicine Information for Twinrix is available at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Normal doctor's office visit fees apply. Ask your doctor if Twinrix is right for you.  

Twinrix is a trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.  Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited, Auckland. TAPS DA89KH/08MY/066



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