Drug interactions
Budesonide + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Major
Budesonide and Varicella virus vaccine live: major 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
Corticosteroid immunosuppression can allow the live varicella vaccine virus to replicate and cause disseminated disease, and may also reduce vaccine effectiveness. Risk is greatest with systemic or high-dose budesonide.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide and Varicella virus vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid immunosuppression impairs control of live attenuated virus replication and the vaccine response.
What to do
Avoid vaccination during immunosuppressive steroid therapy; wait until the steroid has been stopped for at least the interval in the product labeling. Low-dose inhaled or topical budesonide does not generally preclude vaccination.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Budesonide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Budesonide and Varicella virus vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Corticosteroid immunosuppression can allow the live varicella vaccine virus to replicate and cause disseminated disease, and may also reduce vaccine effectiveness. Risk is greatest with systemic or high-dose budesonide.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide and Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid vaccination during immunosuppressive steroid therapy; wait until the steroid has been stopped for at least the interval in the product labeling. Low-dose inhaled or topical budesonide does not generally preclude vaccination.
What other medicines interact with Budesonide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Budesonide with, for example, Aldesleukin, Atazanavir, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Budesonide page.
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