Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Gardasil 9. It is a vaccine that helps protect against a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV infections can cause certain types of cancer and diseases. This medicine can be used in both males and females to prevent HPV infections.

Gardasil 9 is given as an injection into the arm muscle. You doctor or pharmacist will determine the number of doses you should get. It is important to complete all doses for the best protection against HPV infections.

Gardasil 9 does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer. It is still important to complete all routine cancer screenings.

Most people tolerate this vaccine well, but some side effects can occur. This includes redness or tenderness at the injection site. Other side effects can include a fever, headache, upset stomach, and dizziness. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. These effects are normal if they are mild and should go away.

As with any medicine or vaccine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With Gardasil 9, this includes fainting and allergic reactions. You should read the Vaccine Information Sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes.

Women should check with their doctors before receiving this vaccine if they are pregnant and before breastfeeding.

Certain medications can interact with Gardasil 9 making the vaccine less effective. Make sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you take before getting the vaccine.

For best results with this vaccine, be sure to get the doses when they are due. Also, be sure to read the Vaccine Information Sheet for more information.