Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (TB Test)

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: diagnostic agent

Generic and brand names: Tubersol; Aplisol; Tuberculin Tine Test

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to test for tuberculosis (TB) infection.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from taking immunosuppressant medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection or steroid medicines to treat arthritis
• a positive TB test or TB infection

Tell your provider if you have had vaccines for measles, mumps, or the flu in the past 6 months, or if you have recently had measles, mumps, or the flu. Also tell your provider if you have ever received the BCG vaccine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

A healthcare provider will prick the surface layer of the skin on your forearm with a special needle. Two or three days after the test, the size of the skin reaction is measured. If the bump is big, you have a positive reaction to tuberculosis. If there is no bump you probably do not have TB.

What should I watch out for?

Do not cover the injection spot with a bandage. Do not scratch your arm. If it itches, put a cold washcloth on it. When you wash it, pat your arm dry rather than rubbing it.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever (over 103°), skin blistering or peeling.

Other: Pain at the site of the shot, itching, minor rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, A-HydroCort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Meticorten), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

____________________________________________________

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Developed by RelayHealth
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.