Drug interactions
Certolizumab pegol + Zoster vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Certolizumab pegol and Zoster vaccine live: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus that may cause disseminated infection in patients receiving certolizumab. The immune response to the vaccine may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Certolizumab pegol 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
TNF inhibition suppresses cell-mediated immunity, allowing replication of the attenuated virus.
What to do
Do not give live zoster vaccine during certolizumab therapy. Use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine instead.
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 Certolizumab pegol
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Certolizumab pegol Contraindicated
- Bcg intravesical live + Certolizumab pegol Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Certolizumab pegol Contraindicated
- Certolizumab pegol + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Certolizumab pegol + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Certolizumab pegol + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Certolizumab pegol with Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Certolizumab pegol 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 contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus that may cause disseminated infection in patients receiving certolizumab. The immune response to the vaccine may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Certolizumab pegol 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 certolizumab therapy. Use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine instead.
What other medicines interact with Certolizumab pegol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Certolizumab pegol with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg intravesical live, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Certolizumab pegol page.
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