Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Dexamethasone and Varicella virus vaccine live: contraindicated 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
Live varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella in patients who are immunosuppressed by high-dose dexamethasone. The vaccine response may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Varicella virus 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
Glucocorticoid-induced suppression of cellular immunity permits uncontrolled replication of the attenuated virus.
What to do
Do not give live varicella vaccine to patients on immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Wait at least 1 month after stopping high-dose therapy, and vaccinate before starting treatment when possible.
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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Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Zoster vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Dexamethasone and Varicella virus 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 varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella in patients who are immunosuppressed by high-dose dexamethasone. The vaccine response may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Varicella virus 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 varicella vaccine to patients on immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Wait at least 1 month after stopping high-dose therapy, and vaccinate before starting treatment when possible.
What other medicines interact with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexamethasone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Mifepristone, Rilpivirine. The full list is on the Dexamethasone page.
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