Other drug names:	A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

In the U.S.—

BayTet

Another commonly used name is TIG.

Tetanus immune globulin (TET-n-us im-MUNE GLOB-yoo-lin) is used to prevent tetanus infection (also known as lockjaw). Tetanus is a serious illness that causes convulsions (seizures) and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 percent of cases.

In recent years, two thirds of all tetanus cases have been in persons 50 years of age and older. A tetanus infection in the past does not make you immune to tetanus in the future.

Tetanus immune globulin works by giving your body the antibodies it needs to protect it against tetanus infection. This is called passive protection. This passive protection lasts long enough to protect your body until your body can produce its own antibodies against tetanus.

Tetanus immune globulin is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tetanus immune globulin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tetanus immune globulin.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals. However, there is no reason to suspect that tetanus immune globulin causes problems in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding—Tetanus immune globulin has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of tetanus immune globulin in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of tetanus immune globulin in the elderly with use in other age groups. However, there is no evidence that the effects of tetanus immune globulin in older adults differ from those in younger persons.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tetanus immune globulin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Dosing—

The dose of tetanus immune globulin will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average dose of tetanus immune globulin.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For preventing tetanus infection:
    • Adults and children—250 units injected into a muscle.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Difficulty in breathing or swallowing;  hives;  itching, especially of soles or palms;  reddening of skin, especially around ears;  swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose;  unusual tiredness or weakness, sudden and severe 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 06/27/1997