Drug interactions
Belimumab + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent
Severity: Moderate
Belimumab and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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
Belimumab inhibits B-cell survival and may reduce the antibody response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. Patients may therefore have less protection against pneumococcal disease than expected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Belimumab and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Belimumab belongs to Miscellaneous; Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Belimumab neutralizes BLyS, reducing B-cell activity and possibly blunting vaccine-induced antibody production.
What to do
Give pneumococcal vaccination before starting belimumab when possible, ideally at least 2 weeks beforehand. Vaccination during therapy is still appropriate, with awareness of a possibly reduced response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent
- Adalimumab + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Alefacept + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Anakinra + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Anti-thymocyte + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
Other interactions of Belimumab
- Belimumab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Major
- Abatacept + Belimumab Moderate
- Adalimumab + Belimumab Moderate
- Anakinra + Belimumab Moderate
- Anti-thymocyte + Belimumab Moderate
- Belimumab + Denosumab Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Belimumab with Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Belimumab and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Belimumab inhibits B-cell survival and may reduce the antibody response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. Patients may therefore have less protection against pneumococcal disease than expected.
How serious is the interaction between Belimumab and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give pneumococcal vaccination before starting belimumab when possible, ideally at least 2 weeks beforehand. Vaccination during therapy is still appropriate, with awareness of a possibly reduced response.
What other medicines interact with Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent with, for example, Adalimumab, Alefacept, Anakinra. The full list is on the Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent page.
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