Drug interactions
Capecitabine + Influenza a vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Capecitabine and Influenza a vaccine: 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
Capecitabine is a cytotoxic chemotherapy that can suppress bone marrow and immune function. Immune response to an H5N1 influenza vaccine may therefore be reduced, leaving the patient less protected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Capecitabine and Influenza a vaccine 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.
Why it happens
Cytotoxic myelosuppression and immunosuppression blunt the antibody response to vaccination.
What to do
If feasible, vaccinate before starting chemotherapy or during a period of recovery between cycles. Do not rely on the vaccine alone for protection and maintain other infection precautions.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Capecitabine and Influenza a vaccine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Capecitabine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Capecitabine with Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Capecitabine and Influenza a vaccine 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. Capecitabine is a cytotoxic chemotherapy that can suppress bone marrow and immune function. Immune response to an H5N1 influenza vaccine may therefore be reduced, leaving the patient less protected.
How serious is the interaction between Capecitabine and Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If feasible, vaccinate before starting chemotherapy or during a period of recovery between cycles. Do not rely on the vaccine alone for protection and maintain other infection precautions.
What other medicines interact with Capecitabine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Capecitabine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Arsenic trioxide, Axicabtagene ciloleucel. The full list is on the Capecitabine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
