Hepatitis A Adult Vaccine / Hepatitis B Adult Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2025.

Applies to hepatitis a adult vaccine / hepatitis b adult vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, hepatitis a adult vaccine/hepatitis b adult vaccine 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hepatitis a adult vaccine/hepatitis b adult vaccine:

More common side effects

• fever more than 99.5 degrees F
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• hives
• itching, especially of the hands or feet
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)

Incidence not known

• agitation
• back pain
• being forgetful
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• bloody nose
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest tightness
• chills
• coma
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
• difficulty with walking
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of discomfort
• feeling sad or depressed
• general feeling of illness
• general tiredness and weakness
• hallucinations
• headache
• heavier menstrual periods
• inability to move the arms and legs
• increased sweating
• inflammation of the joints
• irritability
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• light-colored stools
• muscle aches or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness or tingling in your arms, face, hands, or legs
• partial or slight paralysis
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• red, irritated eyes
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• seizures
• severe headache
• slurred speech or problems with swallowing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sores, welting, or blisters
• stiff neck or back
• sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
• swollen lymph glands
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes and skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of hepatitis a adult vaccine / hepatitis b adult vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• body aches or pain
• ear congestion
• hard lump, redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing

Rare side effects

• bruising at the injection site
• dry mouth
• fainting or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth
• headache, severe and throbbing
• hyperventilation
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin at the injection site
• loss of appetite
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• restlessness
• sensation of spinning
• shaking
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleeplessness
• small, red or purple spots on the skin
• stomach pain
• sweating
• trouble with sleeping
• unusually fast heartbeat
• unusually warm skin
• weakness
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• earache
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• halos around lights
• hearing loss
• heartburn
• indigestion
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• painful blisters on the trunk of the body
• stomach discomfort or upset
• tunnel vision
• weakness of the muscles in your face

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hepatitis a adult vaccine / hepatitis b adult vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Local adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Pain and redness at the injection site
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction, swelling at the injection site
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site ecchymosis, injection site pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Immediate injection site pain, stinging and burning sensation^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue
• Common (1% to 10%): Malaise
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weakness
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Influenza-like illness^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, migraine, paresthesia, somnolence, syncope, vertigo
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypoesthesia, paresthesia
• Postmarketing reports: Encephalitis, encephalopathy, neuritis, neuropathy, paralysis, convulsions^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypotension
• Postmarketing reports: Vasculitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, petechiae, rash, sweating, urticaria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Angioneurotic edema, lichen planus, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lymphadenopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis, allergic reactions including anaphylactoid reactions and mimicking serum sickness^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia, arthralgia, back pain
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Chills
• Postmarketing reports: Arthritis, muscular weakness^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory tract illness^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Viral infection, upper respiratory tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Meningitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Appetite lost
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Decreased appetite^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, insomnia, irritability^[Ref]

Further information

Hepatitis a adult vaccine/hepatitis b adult vaccine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer