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TUBERSOL

Generic: Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Sanofi
NDC
49281-752
RxCUI
313532
Route
INTRADERMAL
ICD-10 indication
R76.11

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About TUBERSOL

What is this medication?

Tubersol is a diagnostic skin test used to detect infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis. It is composed of a sterile solution containing Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative, which is obtained from the protein components of the bacteria. This medication is not a vaccine and is not used to treat an active infection; instead, it is administered intradermally to check if a person's immune system recognizes the tuberculosis proteins due to past or present exposure.

When the test is performed, a small amount of the solution is injected just beneath the surface of the skin, usually on the inside of the forearm. A healthcare provider then evaluates the injection site forty-eight to seventy-two hours later to look for a specific type of skin reaction known as an induration. The presence and size of a raised, firm area indicate whether the individual has likely been infected with the tuberculosis bacteria, allowing for further medical evaluation and follow-up care if necessary.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for TUBERSOL. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Apr 17, 2026

Indications and usage
INDICATIONS AND USAGE TUBERSOL Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (Mantoux), is indicated to aid diagnosis of tuberculosis infection (TB) in persons at increased risk of developing active disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published guidelines regarding populations that would benefit from tuberculin skin testing (TST). Current recommendations can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/testing.htm. Previous BCG vaccination is not a contraindication to tuberculin testing. The skin-test results of BCG vaccinated persons can be used to support or exclude the diagnosis of TB infection. However, an FDA-approved interferon gamma release assay is preferred over tuberculin skin test for persons 5 years of age and older who were previously vaccinated with BCG. (8)
Dosage and administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosage Five (5) tuberculin units (TU) per test dose of 0.1 mL is the standard strength used for intradermal (Mantoux) testing. Method of Administration TUBERSOL is indicated for intradermal injection only. Do not inject intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously . If subcutaneous injection occurs, the test cannot be interpreted. Inspect for extraneous particulate matter and/or discoloration before use. If these conditions exist, do not administer the product. Use a separate syringe and needle for each injection. (12) The following procedure is recommended for performing the Mantoux test: The preferred site of the test is the volar aspect of the forearm. Avoid areas on the skin that are red or swollen. Avoid visible veins. Clean the skin site with a suitable germicide and allow the site to dry prior to injection of the antigen. Administer the test dose (0.1 mL) of TUBERSOL with a 1 mL syringe calibrated in tenths and fitted with a short, one-quarter to one-half inch, 26 or 27 gauge needle. Wipe the stopper of the vial with a suitable germicide and allow to dry before needle insertion. Then insert the needle gently through the stopper and draw 0.1 mL of TUBERSOL into the syringe. Avoid injection of excess air with removal of each dose so as not to over pressurize the vial and possibly cause seepage at the puncture site. Insert the point of the needle into the most superficial layers of the skin with the needle bevel pointing upward and administer the dose by slow intradermal injection . If the intradermal injection is performed properly, a definite pale bleb will rise at the needle point, about 10 mm ( 3 / 8 ") in diameter. This bleb will disperse within minutes. Do not dress the site. A drop of blood may appear at the administration site following injection. Blot the site lightly to remove the blood but avoid squeezing out the injected tuberculin test fluid. In the event of an improperly performed injection (i.e., no bleb formed), repeat the test immediately at another site, at least 2 inches from the first site and circle the second injection site as an indication that this is the site to be read. Inform the patient of the need to return for the reading of the test by a trained health professional. Self-reading may be inaccurate and is strongly discouraged. Interpretation of the Test The skin test should be read by a trained health professional 48 to 72 hours after administration of TUBERSOL. Skin test sensitivity is indicated by induration only; redness should not be measured. Measure the diameter of induration transversely to the long axis of the forearm and record the measurement in millimeters (including 0 mm). (7) The tip of a ballpoint pen, gently pushed at a 45° angle toward the site of injection, will stop at the edge of induration. Also record presence and size (if present) of necrosis and edema, although these are not used in the interpretation of the test. Positive Reactions Tuberculin reactivity may indicate latent infection, prior infection and/or disease with M. tuberculosis and does not necessarily indicate the presence of active tuberculous disease. Persons showing positive tuberculin reactions should be considered positive by current public health guidelines and referred for further medical evaluation. (7)(9) The repeated testing of uninfected persons does not sensitize them to TUBERSOL. (6)(7)(9) The significance of induration measurements in diagnosing latent TB infection must be considered in terms of the patient's history and the risk of developing active TB disease as indicated in Table 1. (9) Table 1: Criteria for tuberculin positivity, by risk group Reaction ≥5 mm of Induration Reaction ≥10 mm of Induration Reaction ≥15 mm of Induration HIV-positive persons Recent contacts of tuberculosis (TB) case patients Fibrotic changes on chest radiograph consistent with prior TB Patients with organ transplants and other immunosuppressed patients (receiving the equivalent of ≥15 mg/d of prednisone for 1 month or more) Risk of TB in patients treated with corticosteroids increases with higher dose and longer duration. Recent immigrants (i.e., within the last 5 yrs) from high prevalence countries Injection drug users Residents or employees For persons who are otherwise at low risk and are tested at the start of employment, a reaction of ≥15 mm induration is considered positive. of the following high-risk congregate settings: prisons and jails, nursing homes and other long-term facilities for the elderly, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, residential facilities for patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and homeless shelters Mycobacteriology laboratory personnel Persons with the following clinical conditions that place them at high risk: silicosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, some hematologic disorders (e.g., leukemias and lymphomas), other specific malignancies (e.g., carcinoma of the head or neck and lung), weight loss of ≥10% of ideal body weight, gastrectomy and jejunoileal bypass Children younger than 4 yrs of age or infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults at high-risk Persons with no risk factors for TB A TST conversion is defined as an increase of ≥10 mm of induration within a 2-year period, regardless of age. (9) The possibility should be considered that the skin test sensitivity may also be due to a previous contact with atypical mycobacteria or previous BCG vaccination. (7)(9) Negative Reactions An individual who does not show a positive reaction to 5 TU on the first test, but is suspected of being TB positive, may be retested with 5 TU. (See Booster Effect and Two-Step Testing .) Any individual who does not show a positive reaction to an initial injection of 5 TU, or a second test with 5 TU may be considered as tuberculin negative. False Positive Reactions False positive tuberculin reactions can occur in individuals who have been infected with other mycobacteria, including vaccination with BCG. (7) However, a diagnosis of M . tuberculosis infection and the use of preventive therapy should be considered for any BCG-vaccinated person who has a positive TST reaction, especially if the person has been, or is, at increased risk of acquiring TB infection. (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE .) (13)(14) False Negative Reactions Not all infected persons will have a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a tuberculin test. In those who are elderly or those who are being tested for the first time, reactions may develop slowly and may not peak until after 72 hours. Since tuberculin sensitivity may take up to 8 weeks to develop following exposure to M. tuberculosis (see Mechanism of Action ), persons who have a negative tuberculin test <8 weeks following possible TB exposure should be retested ≥8-10 weeks following the last known or suspected exposure. (15) Altered Immune Status Impaired or attenuated cell mediated immunity (CMI) can potentially cause a false negative tuberculin reaction. Many factors have been reported to cause a decreased ability to respond to the tuberculin test in the presence of tuberculous infection including viral infections (e.g., measles, mumps, chickenpox and HIV), live virus vaccinations (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio and yellow fever), overwhelming tuberculosis, other bacterial infections, leukemia, sarcoidosis, fungal infections, metabolic derangements, low protein states, diseases affecting lymphoid organs, drugs (corticosteroids and many other immunosuppressive agents), and malignancy or stress. (7)(16)(17) A TST should be deferred for patients with major viral infections or live-virus vaccination in the past month. Persons with the common cold may be tuberculin tested. Because TST results in HIV-infected individuals are less reliable as CD4 counts decline, screening should be completed as early as possible after HIV-infection occurs. (17) Booster Effect and Two-Step Testing If tuberculin testing will be conducted at regular intervals, for instance among healthcare workers or prison workers, two-step testing should be performed as a baseline to avoid interpreting a booster effect as a tuberculin conversion. If the first test showed either no reaction or a small reaction, the second test should be performed one to four weeks later. Both tests should be read and recorded at 48 to 72 hours. Patients with a second tuberculin test (booster) response of ≥10 mm should be considered to have experienced past TB infection. (13)(18) Persons who do not boost when given repeat tests at one week, but whose tuberculin reactions change to positive after one year, should be considered to have newly acquired tuberculosis infection and managed accordingly. (6)
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Allergy to any component of TUBERSOL or an anaphylactic or other allergic reaction to a previous test of tuberculin PPD is a contraindication to the use of TUBERSOL. (See DESCRIPTION and HOW SUPPLIED .) TUBERSOL should not be administered to: Persons who have had a severe reaction (e.g., necrosis, blistering, anaphylactic shock, or ulcerations) to a previous TST, Persons with documented active tuberculosis or a clear history of treatment for TB infection or disease, (9) Persons with extensive burns or eczema.
Warnings
WARNINGS Hypersensitivity Allergic reactions may occur following the use of TUBERSOL even in persons with no prior history of hypersensitivity to the product components. (10) Epinephrine injection (1:1,000) and other appropriate agents used for the control of immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available. Syncope Syncope (fainting) can occur in association with administration of injectable medicines, including TUBERSOL. Procedures should be in place to avoid falling injury and to restore cerebral perfusion following syncope.
Drug interactions
Drug Interactions Reactivity to the test may be depressed or suppressed in persons who are receiving corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents. (7) Reactivity to TUBERSOL may be temporarily depressed by certain live virus vaccines (measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, yellow fever, and varicella). If a parenteral live attenuated virus vaccine has been administered recently, tuberculin testing should be delayed for >1 month after vaccination. (7)(11) (See Interpretation of the Test .) When tuberculin screening is required at the same time as a measles-containing vaccine or other parenteral live attenuated virus vaccine, simultaneous administration of TUBERSOL and the vaccine at separate sites is the preferred option.
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS Induration at the TUBERSOL injection site is the expected reaction for a positive skin test. (See Interpretation of the Test .) The information pertaining to adverse events has been compiled from historical clinical studies and post-marketing experience with TUBERSOL. General disorders and administration site conditions Injection site pain, injection site pruritus and injection site discomfort. Injection site erythema or injection site rash (without induration) occurring within 12 hours of testing. These reactions do not indicate TB infection. Injection site hemorrhage and injection site hematoma up to three days after the administration of the test. Injection site vesicles, injection site ulcer or injection site necrosis in highly sensitive persons. Injection site scar as a result of strongly positive reactions. Pyrexia Immune system disorders Hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis/anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, urticaria Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders Stridor, dyspnea Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rash, generalized rash Nervous system disorders Presyncope, syncope (including syncope associated with tonic-clonic movements and other seizure-like activity) sometimes resulting in transient loss of consciousness with injury Reporting of Adverse Events To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact the Pharmacovigilance Department, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Discovery Drive, Swiftwater, PA 18370 or call 1-800-822-2463 (1-800-VACCINE) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MEDWATCH Program at 1-800-332-1088 and www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Use in pregnancy
Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with TUBERSOL. It is also not known whether TUBERSOL can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. TUBERSOL should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

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