Gardasil 9 (HPV 9-valent vaccine, Recombinant) is a brand-name vaccine used to help prevent HPV and certain HPV complications, including cervical cancer. As with other drugs, Gardasil 9 can cause side effects, such as pain or bruising at the injection site.

Gardasil 9 is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent some diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

Gardasil 9 can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Gardasil 9 in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Gardasil 9 use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gardasil 9’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Gardasil 9 include:

  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • headache
  • nausea
  • pain in your abdomen, muscles, or throat
  • tiredness
  • mild injection site reactions (see “Side effect specifics” below)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Gardasil 9 and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Gardasil 9 may cause serious side effects, although this is very rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gardasil 9’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Gardasil 9, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Gardasil 9 vaccine can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies of Gardasil 9.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gardasil 9 vaccine, your doctor may recommend taking a different vaccine instead.

Gardasil 9 may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Gardasil 9 cause long-term side effects?

No, it’s not thought to. Long-term side effects weren’t reported in clinical trials of Gardasil 9.

Long-term side effects may refer to side effects which appear after you’ve taken the drug for a long time. They can also refer to side effects that don’t go away after treatment ends. Long-term side effects haven’t been reported with Gardasil 9.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about your risk for side effects from Gardasil 9 and how long they may last.

Does Gardasil 9 cause different side effects in males?

No, it’s not believed to. Side effects were similar amongst males* and females* in clinical trials of Gardasil 9.

Gardasil 9 is approved for use in males age 9 through 45 years to prevent certain conditions, including certain cancers, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Some side effects may be more or less common in males vs. females. For example, girls were more likely to report headache than boys in these studies. But different side effects aren’t expected.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about Gardasil’s use in males.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Does Gardasil 9 cause different side effects in teenagers?

No, it’s not likely. Side effects in teenagers were similar as those in other age groups in clinical trials of Gardasil 9.

Some side effects, such as swelling at the injection site, may be more common in teenagers compared to other age groups. But different side effects based on age aren’t expected.

Your doctor or pharmacist can answer additional questions you may have about Gardasil 9’s use in teenagers.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Gardasil 9 may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Gardasil 9.

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions are the most common side effect reported with Gardasil 9. Injection site reactions can include any of the following at or around the site where Gardasil 9 is injected:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • skin redness or discoloration
  • bruising or bleeding
  • itchiness
  • a lump

In most cases, injection site reactions from receiving Gardasil 9 are mild. However, there have been very rare instances where these reactions were considered severe. For example, severe pain in the arm after receiving the vaccine could prevent you from doing work or school activity until symptoms go away. But even severe reactions should go away on their own within a few hours or days. They’re not expected to cause long-term complications.

What you can do

While they can be painful or irritating, injection site reactions after getting Gardasil 9 almost always go away within a few minutes or hours. If you have pain or swelling, try applying a cold compress (such as an ice pack) to the area.

If symptoms of injection site reactions last more than a few days, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Fainting and seizure-like activity after receiving Gardasil 9

Fainting and seizure-like activity immediately after receiving Gardasil 9 has rarely been reported.

Fainting is a known possible effect of vaccinations, including Gardasil 9. Fainting can lead to injuries due to falling, such as bruising or broken bones. On very rare occasions, fainting after receiving a Gardasil 9 dose can also involve seizure-like activity, including jerky, uncontrolled body movements.

What you can do

Because of this risk, your doctor or pharmacist may ask you to remain seated or lying down for at least 15 minutes after you receive your Gardasil 9 dose. In the event you feel faint or develop symptoms of seizure-like activity, they’ll be close by to quickly treat your symptoms. For example, seizure-like symptoms typically go away by lying down on your back, sometimes with your legs and feet elevated above the head.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Gardasil 9.

Other precautions

Before taking Gardasil 9, discuss your health history with your doctor. Gardasil 9 may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • fainting after receiving a vaccine in the past
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • hypersensitivity to yeast
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.