Infanrix or Pentaxim - comparison of imported analogues of the DTP vaccine

The birth of a baby is not only joy, but also a great responsibility for a young mother and father. From the moment a little person is born, they must make many important decisions, including those related to his health. Prevention of infectious diseases is one of the most important. You need to know which vaccinations need to be given and at what time, and also which drugs to choose for vaccination.

The DTP vaccine is a Russian drug that protects a child from whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. This vaccination is one of the first, it is included in the national calendar and is mandatory.

Doctors also use imported analogues of the domestic drug, most often Pentaxim or Infanrix. Both vaccines are complex, directed against the same underlying infectious diseases, so making a decision is not easy. To understand which drug is best for a child, you need to study the composition and properties of each vaccine, indications and contraindications for their use, the procedure for preparing and carrying out the procedure, and learn about possible adverse reactions. All this is in the proposed material.

Pentaxim and Infanrix hexa: what is the difference in the composition and properties of the drugs

When comparing Pentaxim and Infanrix, you need to study the components of the drugs and clarify the list of diseases that each of them protects against. The names of the vaccines already contain information about the number of infections against which the vaccine is effective.

“Penta” means “five” in Latin, so Pentaxim protects against 5 dangerous infections at once.

1. Whooping cough is a disease, a clear sign of which is a hacking cough. May be complicated by pneumonia, encephalopathy, vascular and other pathologies.
2. Diphtheria is a disease of the upper respiratory tract. Complications often include myocarditis, disorders of the nervous system, even paralysis and death.
3. Tetanus is an acute disease characterized by damage to the nervous system, skeletal muscles, and severe (often fatal) complications that extend to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems.
4. Polio viruses of types 1, 2 and 3 cause paresis and paralysis.
5. Diseases caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (meningitis, septicemia, pneumonia and others).

Pentaxim is produced by France. It contains 25 mcg of three pertussis antigens in acellular (cell-free) form, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (40 and 30 IU, respectively), deactivated polio viruses in purified form, as well as a lyophilisate from crushed membranes of Haemophilus influenzae to prepare a suspension. The formula does not contain such dangerous accompanying components as mercury and phenol red. The disadvantage of this drug is the presence of aluminum hydroxide and formaldehyde in its composition.

From 2008 until recently, Pentaxim was the only drug in Russia (Infanrix Hexa was certified quite recently - in 2021) that made it possible to vaccinate a child against several dangerous diseases at once and reduce the total number of injections to five. Compared to the DTP vaccination schedule, during which you will have to visit the treatment room 12 times, Pentaxim is a more “convenient” complex drug. Its components are safe and can be used to vaccinate weakened children, without the threat of severe complications that arise when using live vaccines. The vaccination is well tolerated, so doctors recommend using it to vaccinate babies whose bodies react acutely to the components of DTP.

To reduce the antigenic load, the possibility of separate immunization against DPT infections/poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae is provided. Therefore, the first group of Pentaxim components is placed in a syringe, and the Hib component is placed in a separate ampoule.

A group of vaccine drugs under the general name Infanrix is ​​produced by the British company GlaxoSmithKline. Infanrix Hexa is an improved polyvalent vaccine that forms immunity in a child to six infections. To 3 pertussis antigens, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (in the same concentration as in Pentaxim), an additional component is added - against the hepatitis B virus, which affects the liver and brain, leading to disability. Among the excipients: aluminum alkali and salt, emulsifier polysorbate, preservatives formaldehyde and 2-phenoxyethanol, solution for injection. The active ingredients are also presented in acellular form, all components are highly purified, so this vaccine is also well tolerated and is indicated for babies starting from the 3rd month of life.

When choosing the appropriate vaccine, you need to take into account the recommended vaccination schedule, which is very important at an early age, when children have not yet developed their immune system. The British vaccine Infanrix Hexa can be given to children from six months of age, when the hepatitis B vaccination is repeated. This drug should be used in accordance with the planned vaccination schedule:

• from 6 months, when the DPT vaccination is due;
• with repeated vaccination against hepatitis B;
• for protection against polio.

The drugs contain antigens of different infections, their use is determined by different purposes of immunization. In a particular case, the pediatrician must decide which drug to use for immunization, taking into account all the individual indications and contraindications that the child has.

Specifics of the drug Infanrix

Before making a choice which DPT is better to take, it is worth considering in detail the components of both vaccines, their effects and contraindications, and be sure to consult a doctor. Be careful, because such vaccinations can cause complications, so carefully weigh the pros and cons and only then make a decision.

The main purpose of the Infanrix vaccine is considered to be prevention against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. The vaccine contains the components necessary for this:

• toxoid;
• whooping cough antigen, which can cause severe symptoms during illness.

There are also excipients that are included in the composition: hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, polysorbate, phenoxyethanol, sodium chloride, water for injection.

At first glance, a large number of components can cause misunderstanding. But, this complex composition can provide maximum protection and does not cause complications. When choosing the best DTP vaccine, you need to carefully read the quality of the drug. The Infanrix vaccination is acellular, which means that the degree of purification is at the highest level. This vaccination is considered high quality and is approved for use in children from three months of age.

Important! Before vaccination, the child must be completely healthy. Examine the baby and measure body temperature several hours before administering the drug. It is best for the baby to be examined by a pediatrician and decide whether he is eligible for vaccination.

The manufacturer allows you to buy an improved version of the drug - the Infanrix Hexa vaccine, which has additional protection against such serious diseases as hepatitis B, polio and hemophilus influenzae infection.

Is there a difference in contraindications?

When choosing a complex polyvalent pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccine of foreign production, it should be taken into account that there are certain differences in contraindications between Pentaxim and Infanrix Hexa. General restrictions on their use include:

• a sharp reaction of the body recorded during the first administration of the drug;
• immunodeficiency;
• allergy to one of the components;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• convulsions at normal temperature;
• child's body weight deficiency (at birth – less than 2 kg).
• acute respiratory viral infection suffered the day before;
• elevated temperature;
• signs of acute respiratory disease.

Specific restrictions for the use of Infanrix Hexa include a number of diseases:

• anemia;
• encephalopathy;
• thrombocytopenia and other pathologies of the circulatory system.

If the child does not have general and relative contraindications, then there is no difference in the use of drugs for routine vaccination. In the absence of prohibitions, any of them will not cause complications and will provide reliable protection against dangerous infections.

Instructions for use

Infanrix Hexa or Pentaxim should be used according to the instructions for use of these drugs. A preventive course of immunization of the body with multicomponent vaccines consists of 3 injections, each dose containing 0.5 ml of active substances, which are carried out according to the developed schedule.

A preventive vaccination plan is developed individually for each patient. Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim are injected into the upper part of the outer thigh. These drugs are intended exclusively for intramuscular injections. It is strictly forbidden to vaccinate with these medications subcutaneously or intravenously.

A needle with a syringe containing the active components of Pentaxim or Infanrix Hexa is inserted as deeply as possible. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the injection is not performed into a blood vessel. The vaccine is prepared by mixing the powdered lyophilisate with sterile water, which comes with the drug.

After the powder has completely dissolved, the medicine is ready for use. The vaccine should be white with signs of turbidity. If, after dissolving the lyophilisate, the liquid preparation acquires other color shades, then you should refrain from using this medication.

The finished vaccine is drawn into a disposable sterile syringe and then injected intramuscularly into the patient’s body. Injection of the contents of the drug should be carried out as slowly as possible.

Upon completion of routine vaccination, the patient should monitor his body temperature and general well-being over the next 48 hours, especially if immunization was carried out on a newborn child. The table below shows the planned vaccination schedule for children at different periods of their development.

In all cases, without exception, the schedule for artificial immunization of patients is drawn up by a pediatrician, therapist or infectious disease specialist, whose responsibilities include monitoring the routine vaccination of patients.

Timely use of Infanrix Hexa or Pentaxim helps preserve the health of the child and the adults around him. This approach will prevent the development of severe infectious diseases.

Pentaxim and Infanrix: differences in schedule and vaccination schedule

When choosing a drug for vaccination, you need to pay attention to the difference in vaccination regimens recommended for different formulations, and to the advisability of introducing certain antigens at a specific age.

The immunization schedule with the Pentaxim vaccine differs from that recommended for Infanrix Hexa.

The English-made vaccine (Infarix Hexa) is administered in three stages, maintaining an interval of 1.5 months, followed by revaccination, depending on the age of the child. Standard scheme:

• at 3 months;
• at 4.5 months;
• at 6 months;
• revaccination – after 18 months.

With strict adherence to this vaccination schedule, unwanted complications can be completely avoided.

The use of Pentaxim can also begin at 3 months. The interval between vaccinations should be 1-2 months. Revaccination is carried out after a year and a half. If the standard schedule is violated for any reason, then subsequent vaccinations are given according to the following scheme.

1. The first and second vaccinations are given between 6 and 12 months. The third injection is given without lyophilisitis; revaccination in this case is carried out using all components of the drug.
2. After a year, the first injection can be given with a vaccine that includes all components. Subsequent vaccinations are done without using the component that protects the child from Haemophilus influenzae.

When drawing up an individual vaccination schedule with one or another analogue, you should definitely consult with the pediatrician observing the child.

Specifics of the Pentaxim vaccine

A medicine with a wide spectrum of action, which contains many additional components, can protect not only from standard infections: tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, but also from three different types of polio. This vaccine can be given to babies starting from three months. Pentaxim consists of the following components:

• diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough;
• hemagglutinin;
• or non-live types of polio virus.

Additional substances contained in the drug: aluminum hydroxide, Hanks' medium, phenoxyethanol, water for injection, sodium chloride. Using the lyophilisate that is part of the drug, the vaccine can protect against various diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae.

The French-made Pentaxim vaccine itself is considered an improved version of the Infanrix vaccine. But it contains many stabilizers and fillers, which are important for those who have a reaction to one of the components of the drug.

It is very difficult to say which is better Pentaxim or Infanrix, considering only the composition of the drugs. Here it is necessary to analyze it in complex, taking into account the specifics of the drug, its components, compatibility with other drugs, and the likelihood of adverse reactions.

What do vaccines protect against?

The main purpose of the drugs Pentaxim and Infanrix is ​​protection against various infectious diseases. You can use drugs for the purpose of prevention against the following diseases:

1. First of all, it is diphtheria. An infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that affects the pharynx, bronchi and larynx. Very often the disease causes complications on the cardiac system and affects the central nervous system. May cause death.
2. Tetanus is also an infectious disease that can cause complications in the form of: pneumonia, severe bronchitis, pulmonary edema. Death is also possible.
3. Whooping cough. A disease characterized by a prolonged spasmodic cough. The disease can cause pneumonia, convulsions, and shortness of breath.
4. The drugs can be used to prevent polio, because this disease also has serious consequences, such as paralysis.
5. Vaccines are also used to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Manifestations of which: pneumonia, inflammation of the lining of the brain, infection of the blood and internal organs.

Popular: Without a vaccination certificate, forget about tourism

Is it possible to replace a familiar vaccine with an imported one? Which DTP vaccine is better, domestic or imported? In many ways, the choice also depends on the price, because imported vaccines are much more expensive and few parents can afford them. But here it is important to choose a high-quality drug, the trust in which is confirmed by many years of use and positive reviews from doctors and parents.

What are the features of such popular vaccines?

• Vaccines contain only high-quality, well-purified components. If the vaccination was carried out according to all the rules, there are no complications or side effects;
• Foreign drugs. This means they have all the necessary quality certificates and licenses;
• Both drugs are injected into the thigh area;
• It is not recommended to freeze vaccinations, as some components may lose their properties;
• Very convenient to use. The substance is immediately placed in syringes with a thin needle. This makes it possible not to worry about the correct dosage.

Pentaxim and Infanrix: differences in the baby’s reaction to vaccination

Understanding what is included in Pentaxim and Infarix Hexa, you can predict the development of normal or negative reactions to the vaccinations given. Despite the fact that such drugs are generally well tolerated by children, a small percentage of vaccinated children may experience side effects: general or specific to a specific vaccine.

Common reactions include:

• drowsiness and lethargy;
• increased body temperature;
• nervousness and causeless crying;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• the appearance of seizures;
• hypotension;
• rashes and itching on the skin;
• pain at the injection site.

A specific individual reaction to Pentaxim may be cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes immediately after administration of the drug.

In isolated cases, when vaccinated with Infanrix Hexa, collapse, shock, and enlarged lymph nodes may develop.

For this reason, the selection of medications for routine vaccinations for children is carried out taking into account all the recommendations of the pediatrician.

Contraindications

Infanrix Hexa or Pentaxim are used routinely to preserve the health of the general population, or in emergency cases to eliminate an epidemiological outbreak of increased incidence of the above ailments.

At the same time, these vaccines are strictly contraindicated for administration to patients who have the following body diseases:

• the patient has a history of progressive encephalopathy, which is accompanied by convulsions of the lower extremities, or occurs without such symptoms;
• hypotonic or hyporesponsive syndrome, which is observed in newborns;
• the individual tendency of the body to exhibit various types of allergic reactions that previously occurred after the administration of vaccines with a similar biochemical composition (the patient may have intolerance to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus toxoid or other components of the drug);
• increased body temperature caused by an acute inflammatory process;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases, or the presence of a focus of bacterial, viral or fungal infection (in this case, routine vaccination is postponed to a later date until complete recovery and strengthening of the protective functions of the immune system);
• increased hypersensitivity to streptomycin, glutaraldehyde, polymyxin B, and neomycin.

The Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim vaccines contain weakened or dead strains of viral and bacterial microorganisms. The introduction of these biological agents into the human body does not cause the development of an acute infectious process, but only under the condition of normal functioning of the immune system.

Patients suffering from immunodeficiency conditions are advised to refrain from using vaccines until they feel completely normal. Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim are prescribed with extreme caution to children with a history of febrile seizures.

Pentaxim or Infanrix: which is better to choose?

Both foreign vaccines described are multicomponent safe preparations that use substances approved for children. When choosing, they are guided by the planned vaccination schedule, the presence of contraindications and the age of the baby.

Parents should remember that imported medicines for pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus immunization are more expensive than domestic analogues. Russian vaccines, in the absence of contraindications for the baby, are not inferior in effectiveness, but at the same time they cost less, although the adverse reactions are more pronounced.

Prices for Pentaxim and Infanrix

The average price of Pentaquim in pharmacies is 1300-1500 rubles, the British-made drug Infanrix Hexa costs less - 750-800 rubles per package. The total cost of vaccination is determined by multiplying the price by the number of injections provided for in the vaccination schedule.

Side effects

The multicomponent vaccines Pentaxim and Infanrix Hexa are well tolerated by most newborns and older patients. According to the results of laboratory studies that took place at the stage of clinical testing, the constituent components of these drugs can cause the development of the following side effects:

• manifestation of a local allergic reaction in the form of redness and swelling of epithelial tissues in the area of ​​injection of Infanrix Hexa or Pentaxim;
• an increase in body temperature, which is kept between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius (a more serious violation of thermoregulation, requiring the use of antipyretics, cannot be ruled out);
• fever, chills and increased sweating;
• progressive lymphadenopathy;
• attacks of severe headache;
• insomnia and other signs of sleep disturbance (prolonged period of falling asleep, nightmares, frequent waking up);
• a feeling of itching and the presence of tissue compaction in the area of ​​injection of the vaccine (this is a serious side effect that requires going to the hospital, since there is a high probability of further development of the inflammatory process);
• increased irritability and mood swings.

A positive feature of the combined vaccines Pentaxim and Infanrix Hexa is that they do not cause severe allergic reactions in the form of bronchial spasm or angioedema.

Most of the above side effects persist for 1-3 days after injection of these drugs. After the completion of the immunization period, the child’s well-being returns to normal.

Are vaccines interchangeable?

Doctors do not have a consensus on whether or not it is possible to replace imported vaccines during routine vaccination. Some pediatricians are convinced that vaccination and revaccination should be carried out with the same drug, others prefer to use domestically produced vaccines.

No clinical contraindications to replacement were identified. When using foreign analogues, it should be taken into account that they contain components that protect against other dangerous infectious diseases, therefore the introduction of a replacement at some stage of immunization may disrupt the entire vaccination schedule and cause side effects. Doctors may recommend switching to imported analogues of DTP if the baby experiences undesirable reactions when administering domestic drugs.

Compatibility with other medications, with alcohol

During the period of vaccination with Pentaxim or Infanrix Hexa, it is not recommended to take medications that affect the functions of cells of the immune system. Immunosuppressants are completely prohibited, since in this case the effect of immunizing the child will not be achieved, or severe side effects will develop.

The pediatrician who prescribed routine vaccination should be promptly informed about all medications that the patient is taking. The responsibility to provide this information falls on the parents and guardians of a young child.

The multicomponent vaccines Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim can be administered on the same day as other vaccinations, but not with the BCG immunization complex. However, all other injections should be done in different parts of the body. For example, in the other outer part of the thigh or in the muscles of the forearm.

This will allow you to evenly distribute the immune load with drugs from this group, and also minimize the risk of side effects. The drugs Infanrix Hexa and Pentaxim are completely interchangeable.

With the help of these medications, it is possible to complete a multi-stage vaccination initiated by other means of immunization against whooping cough, diphtheria, polio, Haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, and tetanus. Laboratory studies on the compatibility of vaccines with alcohol have not been conducted.