Gardasil and Food

• Generic Name: human papillomavirus vaccine
• Dosage Forms: injection, suspension
• Other Brand Names: Gardasil 9, Cervarix

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts, cancer of the cervix, anal cancer, and various cancers of the vulva or vagina.

HPV 9-valent vaccine is used in girls and young women ages 9 through 45 to prevent cervical/vaginal/anal cancers or genital warts caused by certain types of HPV.

HPV 9-valent vaccine is also used in boys and young men ages 9 through 45 to prevent anal cancer or genital warts caused by certain types of HPV.

You may receive this vaccine even if you have already had genital warts, or had a positive HPV test or abnormal pap smear in the past. However, this vaccine will not treat active genital warts or HPV-related cancers, and it will not cure HPV infection.

HPV 9-valent vaccine prevents diseases caused only by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. It will not prevent diseases caused by other types of HPV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HPV vaccine for all boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years old. The vaccine is also recommended in teenage boys and girls who have not already received the vaccine or have not completed all booster shots.

Like any vaccine, the HPV 9-valent vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

HPV 9-valent vaccine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.