Drug interactions
Efgartigimod alfa + Tocilizumab
Severity: Moderate
Efgartigimod alfa and Tocilizumab: 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
Efgartigimod blocks the neonatal Fc receptor, which protects IgG molecules from degradation, so it lowers levels of IgG including IgG1 monoclonal antibodies such as tocilizumab. Tocilizumab exposure and efficacy may fall.
What this interaction means in plain words
Efgartigimod alfa and Tocilizumab 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.
Efgartigimod alfa belongs to Miscellaneous; Tocilizumab belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Blockade of FcRn-mediated IgG recycling accelerates catabolism of IgG-based drugs such as tocilizumab.
What to do
Monitor for loss of tocilizumab effect, and consider timing tocilizumab doses away from efgartigimod cycles. If tocilizumab is essential long-term, consider an alternative.
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 Tocilizumab
- Bcg vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Rubella vaccine + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Smallpox vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
Other interactions of Efgartigimod alfa
- Adalimumab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
- Ado-trastuzumab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
- Basiliximab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
- Bevacizumab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
- Brentuximab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
- Denosumab + Efgartigimod alfa Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Efgartigimod alfa with Tocilizumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Efgartigimod alfa and Tocilizumab 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. Efgartigimod blocks the neonatal Fc receptor, which protects IgG molecules from degradation, so it lowers levels of IgG including IgG1 monoclonal antibodies such as tocilizumab. Tocilizumab exposure and efficacy may fall.
How serious is the interaction between Efgartigimod alfa and Tocilizumab?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for loss of tocilizumab effect, and consider timing tocilizumab doses away from efgartigimod cycles. If tocilizumab is essential long-term, consider an alternative.
What other medicines interact with Tocilizumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tocilizumab with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Tocilizumab page.
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