Drug interactions
Etanercept + Zoster vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Etanercept 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 replicating varicella-zoster virus, which may cause disseminated disease in patients on etanercept. The vaccine response may also be diminished.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etanercept 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 blockade weakens cell-mediated immunity and permits uncontrolled replication of the attenuated virus.
What to do
Do not give the live zoster vaccine during etanercept 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 Etanercept
- Bcg vaccine live + Etanercept Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Golimumab Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etanercept with Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Etanercept 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 replicating varicella-zoster virus, which may cause disseminated disease in patients on etanercept. The vaccine response may also be diminished.
How serious is the interaction between Etanercept 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 the live zoster vaccine during etanercept therapy; use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine instead.
What other medicines interact with Etanercept?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Etanercept with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Golimumab, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine. The full list is on the Etanercept page.
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