Does anybody know... | Arthritis Information

 

I cut my hand on rusty metal today.  I haven't had a tetanus shot in close to 17 years.  Can I get one while taking Enbrel?  I'd ask my RD but his office is closed.  I don't know.  Doesn't ENbrel have a customer service number you can call?

I just checked.  THe Enbrel # is 1-888-436-2735.  There are RN's there.

Jan

 

Thanks Jan!  I didn't even think of that.  :)I had to get one in April while on Enbrel.I had one while on Enbrel.Really?  Thanks for saying.  I called the enbrel number that Jan provided but the nurse wasn't very helpful.  I mean, she was nice and everything, but all she did was read to me what I already know.  No live vaccines.  So I looked up tetanus and found that it's made from both live and dead bacteria, so I still wasn't sure what to do.  I had decided to just scrap it.  I'm sure I don't have tetnus anyhow.  What are the odds??  But I have to go to the doc tomorrow anyhow to have a TB test checked so maybe I'll go ahead with it. I found this:

Interactions between enbrel(etanercept) and Tetanus toxoid for booster use only (tetanus toxoid)

MONITOR: The administration of inactivated, killed, or otherwise noninfectious vaccines to immunosuppressed patients is generally safe but may be associated with a diminished or suboptimal immunologic response due to antibody inhibition. Such patients may include those who have recently received or are receiving immunosuppressive agents, antilymphocyte globulins, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (greater than 10 mg/day or 1 mg/kg/day, whichever is less, of prednisone or equivalent for more than 2 weeks), or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: In general, the U.S. Department of Public Health Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that inactivated or killed vaccines be administered to non-HIV immunosuppressed patients according to the same guidelines as for healthy patients. However, higher dosages or more frequent boosters may be required in some cases. For Haemophilus influenzae b vaccine, some experts recommend that it be administered at least 2 weeks before starting or 3 months after discontinuing chemotherapy when used in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Vaccines may generally be administered to patients receiving corticosteroids as replacement therapy (e.g., for Addison's disease).
JasmineRain2008-07-15 19:34:20Thanks, Jazzy Bear.  :)I cut my leg on a piece of  rusty metal while I was on Enbrel. I contacted my rheumy to ask if I could and should get a tetanus shot.  He told me that I could and if I hadn't had one in 11 years that I should as a precaution. Honestly, after hearing horror stories about what it's like to actually GET tetanus - I'd rather end up with an infection or flu or blah whatever than have freaking tetanus. Scares the CRAP out of me now. I'd get that damn shot every year if they let me. >.<

*shivers*
Linncn...you better get it. Better safe than sorry. I brought this subject up a year or so ago and several people on here said that people die from tetanus more often than one thinks. So go do it.