Gardasil

Gardasil can help prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and other conditions caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine, which is given as a series of three injections, does not protect against all types of HPV; however, it does protect against four of the most common types. Gardasil has been approved for use in girls and women age 9 to 26. The most common side effects of this vaccine include nausea, dizziness, and reactions at the injection site.

 

What Is Gardasil?

Gardasil® (Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus [Types 6, 11, 16, and 18] Recombinant Vaccine) is a vaccine that has been licensed to prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and various precancerous genital lesions caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV for short).
 
Gardasil is approved for use in girls and women age 9 to 26.
 
(Click Gardasil Uses for more information on what Gardasil is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Gardasil Vaccine?

Gardasil is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
 

How Does Gardasil Work?

Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against certain types of HPV infections. It works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the HPV virus. HPV is a virus that can be sexually transmitted and can cause female genital warts, male genital warts, cervical cancer, and various precancerous genital growths.
 
There are many different types of HPV virus, and Gardasil does not protect against all of them. However, Gardasil does protect against a few important HPV types (types 6, 11, 16, and 18). These four types of HPV were chosen because they cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts.
 

Effects of Gardasil

The Gardasil HPV vaccine has been studied in over 20,000 women who were 16 to 26 years old. In these studies, Gardasil was very effective in preventing genital warts and various precancerous growths. Gardasil was more than 98 percent effective in preventing genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Gardasil was more than 95 percent effective in preventing precancerous cervical growths caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
 
The effectiveness of Gardasil for preventing precancerous growths was studied instead of actual cervical cancer. This is because it is easier to study precancerous growths, as they develop more quickly.
 
There is no evidence that Gardasil will protect against HPV types other than types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Also, it is unknown if the effects of Gardasil will "wear off" over time.
 
Gardasil was also studied in girls who were 9 to 15 years old. In these studies, these younger girls produced antibodies to HPV in a similar way that the women age 16 to 26 years old had done. This means that the vaccine can be expected to be just as effective in younger girls as it is in women.
 

When and How to Take Gardasil

Some general considerations for when and how to take Gardasil include:
 
  • Gardasil is an injection that your healthcare provider gives you.
     
  • Gardasil is given as a series of three injections:
o First injection: at any time
o Second injection: two months after the first injection
o Third Injection: six months after the first injection.
  • Gardasil is injected into muscle in the upper arm or upper thigh.
     
  • For Gardasil to work properly, you have to get all three injections. Gardasil will not work as well if you do not get all three injections.
     

Gardasil Dosing

There is only one dose of Gardasil for girls and women age 9 to 26. The dose is not affected by age or weight.
 
(Click Gardasil Dosage for more information about dosing for Gardasil.)
 

Gardasil Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Gardasil. However, not everyone who gets the Gardasil vaccine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Gardasil well. When Gardasil side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
The most common side effects of Gardasil include:
 
  • Reactions at the injection site, including:
o Pain
o Swelling
o Redness
o Itching
  • Fever
  • Upset stomach (nausea)
  • Dizziness.
     
(Click Gardasil Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of Gardasil, including serious side effects to look out for.)
 

Drug Interactions With Gardasil

Gardasil can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
 
(Click Gardasil Drug Interactions for more information about Gardasil and these other medicines.)
 

Gardasil: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking Gardasil, you should talk with your healthcare provider if you have:
 
  • A fever or are feeling ill
  • A bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia
  • A poorly functioning immune system (such as with HIV, AIDS, or cancer)
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Taking anticoagulants ("blood thinners")
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Gardasil and Pregnancy)
  • Breastfeeding.
     
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Gardasil Precautions and Warnings for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take Gardasil.)
 

Gardasil: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you are late for a Gardasil injection, call your healthcare provider to schedule your next injection as soon as you remember. You do not need to "start over" with the three-injection series if you are late for a Gardasil injection.
 

Gardasil: Strengths

Gardasil is available in single-dose vials and single-dose, pre-filled syringes.
 

Generic Gardasil

There is currently no generic Gardasil licensed for sale.
 
(Click Generic Gardasil for more information.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;