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Unit - 5 Durg used for Pregnant women during antenatal,
labour and postnatar period
Bsc nursing 4th semester
Subject - Pharmacology
Mr. Govinda Gajbhiye
Bsc Nursing, M.sc Nursing, MA clinical psychologist
Assistant Professor
Department - Medical Surgical Nursing
Tetanus Prophylaxis
Tetanus is a serious, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the toxin
produced by Clostridium tetani. The bacteria commonly live in soil, dust, and manure and
usually enter the body through a wound. Tetanus does not spread from person to person.
letanus is a disease affecting the nervous system caused by neurotoxin (Tetanospasmin)
produced by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is identical with the term "lockjaw, a warning sign
that refers to strong, painful masseter muscle spasms and an inability to open the mouth.
Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis is a medical term for preventive care or actions taken beforehand to guard
against disease, infection, or other health problems. Common examples include vaccines
Causative organism
Clostridium tetani
Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming
bacterium
Produces tetanospasmin (tetanus toxin).
The toxin interferes with inhibitory nerve
signals, causing severe muscle rigidity and
spasms
Signs and symptoms
● Trismus (lockjaw) – difficulty opening the mouth
● Stiffness of the neck
● Difficulty swallowing
● Painful muscle spasms
● Abdominal muscle rigidity
● Back stiffness
● Fever and sweating
● Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
● Severe cases may develop breathing difficulty and seizures.
Tetanus Toxoid
Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine helps protect the mother and newborn
against tetanus, including neonatal tetanus.
Tetanus Prophylaxis During Pregnancy
Tetanus-containing vaccine is given during pregnancy according to the
woman's previous vaccination history.
Dose and Route
Dose: 0.5 mL
Route: Intramuscular (IM)
Site: Deltoid muscle of the upper arm
Do not inject into the gluteal region, as this may reduce the immune
response.
Schedule
TT/Td-1:
First dose during pregnancy, commonly given at 16–20 weeks when indicated.
TT/Td-2:
Given at least 4 weeks after the first dose.
Indications
● Tetanus-containing vaccine is indicated for:
● Pregnant women – to protect the mother and newborn against tetanus.
● Infants and children – as part of routine immunization.
● Adolescents and adults – as recommended booster vaccination.
● People with incomplete or unknown vaccination history.
● After certain injuries/wounds, especially dirty, deep, puncture, crush, or
contaminated wounds, depending on vaccination history.
● Healthcare and occupational risk groups when indicated.
Mechanism of Action:
The vaccine contains inactivated tetanus toxin (tetanus toxoid). It stimulates
the immune system to produce specific antitoxin antibodies against tetanus
toxin. These antibodies neutralize the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani
and provide protection against tetanus.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindication:
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or to a vaccine
component.
Pharmacokinetics of Tetanus Toxoid
Pharmacokinetics describes what happens to a drug in the body—absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. For vaccines such
as tetanus toxoid, the process is different from that of conventional medicines because the main effect is immune-system
activation.
1. Absorption
Given by intramuscular (IM) injection, usually 0.5 mL.
The antigen is gradually taken up by antigen-presenting cells at the injection site and nearby lymphatic tissues.
It is not intended to produce a systemic drug concentration like an ordinary medication.
2. Distribution
Tetanus toxoid antigen is processed by immune cells.
Antigen-presenting cells transport antigen information to regional lymph nodes.
This activates T and B lymphocytes.
3. Metabolism/Processing
Tetanus toxoid is a detoxified form of tetanus toxin (toxoid).
It is processed by antigen-presenting cells and broken down into antigenic components.
B cells are stimulated to produce tetanus-specific antibodies (antitoxin).
Pharmacokinetics of Tetanus Toxoid
3. Metabolism/Processing
Tetanus toxoid is a detoxified form of tetanus toxin (toxoid).
It is processed by antigen-presenting cells and broken down into antigenic components.
B cells are stimulated to produce tetanus-specific antibodies (antitoxin).
4. Excretion
There is no clinically relevant conventional renal or hepatic excretion pathway for tetanus toxoid.
The antigen is gradually degraded and cleared through normal cellular/immune processes.
5. Onset and Duration of Immunity
Protective immunity develops after vaccination over several weeks, rather than immediately.
Primary vaccination requires multiple doses for adequate and durable protection.
Booster doses stimulate immunological memory and increase antibody levels.
Common adverse effects
● Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
● Mild fever
● Headache
● Fatigue or weakness
● Muscle or joint pain
● Mild nausea
● Less common effects
● Dizziness
● Vomiting
● Swollen lymph nodes
● Extensive swelling of the injected limb
Nursing Responsibility
● Check the mother’s previous immunization history before vaccination.
● Confirm the correct timing according to gestational age and dose schedule.
● Maintain aseptic technique during vaccine preparation and administration.
● Administer 0.5 mL IM in the deltoid muscle using a sterile disposable syringe.
● Do not massage the injection site after administration.
● Observe the mother for 30 minutes for any allergic or anaphylactic reaction.
● Keep Adrenaline 1:1000 readily available for emergency management.
● Record the date, dose, batch number, and injection site in the
antenatal/immunization record.
● Educate the mother to return for TT/Td-2 as scheduled to complete protection.
● Explain the importance of clean and safe delivery practices to prevent neonatal
tetanus.
● Teach proper umbilical cord care after birth.