Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Zoster vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Azathioprine and Zoster vaccine live: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Live zoster vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella zoster infection in people receiving azathioprine. Immunogenicity may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Zoster vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Azathioprine impairs T-cell mediated immunity needed to contain the attenuated live virus.
What to do
Do not give live zoster vaccine during azathioprine therapy; use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine, which is suitable for immunocompromised patients.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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References
Other interactions of Azathioprine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Azathioprine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Febuxostat Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azathioprine with Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Azathioprine and Zoster vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Live zoster vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella zoster infection in people receiving azathioprine. Immunogenicity may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give live zoster vaccine during azathioprine therapy; use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine, which is suitable for immunocompromised patients.
What other medicines interact with Azathioprine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azathioprine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Febuxostat. The full list is on the Azathioprine page.
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