Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
GENERIC NAME: Recombinant Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine
BRAND NAME: Gardasil
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Gardasil is a human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccine synthesized using recombinant technology. Gardasil is a sterile
preparation for intramuscular injection and contains purified inactive proteins
from HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18. The proteins in Gardasil are structural, virus-like
proteins (VLP) that resemble the HPV virus. The proteins can activate the immune
system, but cannot replicate. Viral proteins used in Gardasil are manufactured
in yeast cells (S. cerevisiae) using recombinant technology. Once released from
yeast cells, the VLPs are purified, combined with a catalyst (amorphous aluminum
hydroxyphosphate sulfate) and a purification buffer.
Human papillomavirus causes
cervical cancer, cervical adenocarcinoma, vaginal cancer,
genital warts, and
anal cancer.
Gardasil works by stimulating the immune system to attack HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Once Gardasil is administered, the body's immune system recognizes the viral
proteins in Gardasil as foreign, and develops antibodies against them, thus
providing immunity. In the event of HPV exposure following vaccination, the body
will already be primed to fight the infection. HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 are
commonly associated with HPV infections. HPV 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer and HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 cause approximately 90% of genital warts. The
FDA approved Gardasil in June 2007.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Injection: 0.5 ml single-dose vial
STORAGE: Store refrigerated at 2 to 8 C (36 to 46 F). Protect from
light and do not freeze.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Gardasil is used for the prevention of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 infections in girls and women 9 to 26 years of age. It is also approved for preventing genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in males 9
to 26 years old. Gardasil protects against cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb); abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions; abnormal and precancerous vaginal lesions; abnormal and precancerous vulvar lesions, and genital warts. Gardasil does not treat active genital warts or cervical cancer. Individuals with a compromised immune system will not respond as well to Gardasil as individuals with a normal immune system.
Gardasil is also used for the prevention of anal cancer.
DOSING: Gardasil 0.5 ml is injected intramuscularly in three separate doses. The first dose is administered at the patient's convenience, the second dose two months after the first dose, and third dose six months after the first dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Gardasil may be administered concomitantly (at
different sites) with hepatitis B vaccine. The use of immunosuppressive drugs
reduces the efficacy of Gardasil.
Hormonal contraceptives do not interact with
Gardasil.
PREGNANCY: Gardasil is not recommended for use in
pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether Gardasil or the antibodies
induced by Gardasil are excreted in
breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of Gardasil are fever,
nausea,
vomiting, fainting, dizziness, and mild or moderate pain, swelling,
itching, and redness at the injection site. Patients should be observed for 15
minutes after injection because of
fainting.
Allergic reactions, which may be
severe, also occur. Other side effects include swollen glands,
Guillain-Barré syndrome, headache, joint pain, aching muscles, and tiredness or weakness.
People allergic to any component in Gardasil should not use Gardasil.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which the cells of the inner lining of the cervix have precancerous changes. There are two types of cervical dysplasia; 1) squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 2) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection of the cervix with HPV (human papillomavirus). There are various diagnostic measures for cervical dysplasia. Treatment generally depends upon the progression of the dysplasia, mild, moderate, or severe.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. HPV is primarily transmitted by sexual contact. While some people develop warts in the genital region after infection, others experience no symptoms. Though genital warts can be removed, there is no cure for HPV infection. There is a vaccine to prevent infection from four common HPV types.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
The HPV virus (genital warts) in men can cause health problems. Genital warts are confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which are transmitted through sexual contact.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be
transferred from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. STDs
are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since they
involve the transmission of a disease-causing organism from one person to
another during sexual activity. It is important to realize that sexual contact
includes more than just sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal). Sexual contact
includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual "toys," such as
vibrators. STDs probably have been around for thousands of years, but the most
dangerous of these conditions, the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has only been recognized since
1984.
Many STDs are treatable, but effective cures are lacking
for others, such as HIV, HPV, and hepatitis B and C. Even gonorrhea, once easily
cured, has become resistant to many of the ol...
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