Drug interactions
Guselkumab + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Moderate
Guselkumab and Varicella virus vaccine live: 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
Live varicella vaccine could theoretically cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in patients on immunomodulating biologics. Guselkumab labeling advises avoiding live vaccines during treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Guselkumab and Varicella virus vaccine live 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
IL-23 inhibition modulates cellular immunity, possibly reducing control of replicating attenuated virus; risk is theoretical.
What to do
Give varicella vaccine at least 4 weeks before starting guselkumab where possible, and avoid live vaccines during treatment.
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 Guselkumab
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Guselkumab Major
- Bcg vaccine live + Guselkumab Major
- Guselkumab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Major
- Guselkumab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Major
- Guselkumab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Major
- Guselkumab + Measles vaccine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Guselkumab with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Guselkumab and Varicella virus vaccine live 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. Live varicella vaccine could theoretically cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in patients on immunomodulating biologics. Guselkumab labeling advises avoiding live vaccines during treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Guselkumab and Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give varicella vaccine at least 4 weeks before starting guselkumab where possible, and avoid live vaccines during treatment.
What other medicines interact with Guselkumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Guselkumab with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Guselkumab page.
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