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Drug interactions

Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated + Rituximab

Severity: Moderate

Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated and Rituximab: 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

Rituximab depletes B cells and markedly reduces antibody responses to vaccines, so the hepatitis A vaccine may not produce protective immunity. Inactivated vaccine carries no infection risk, but protection may be inadequate.

What this interaction means in plain words

Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated and Rituximab 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.

Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated belongs to Anti Virals; Rituximab belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

B-cell depletion by rituximab impairs humoral vaccine response.

What to do

Give the vaccine, where possible, at least 4 weeks before starting rituximab. If given during or after therapy, consider checking antibody titers and revaccinating after B-cell recovery.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated with Rituximab?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated and Rituximab 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. Rituximab depletes B cells and markedly reduces antibody responses to vaccines, so the hepatitis A vaccine may not produce protective immunity. Inactivated vaccine carries no infection risk, but protection may be inadequate.

How serious is the interaction between Hepatitis A vaccine inactivated and Rituximab?

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 the vaccine, where possible, at least 4 weeks before starting rituximab. If given during or after therapy, consider checking antibody titers and revaccinating after B-cell recovery.

What other medicines interact with Rituximab?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Rituximab with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Baricitinib, Certolizumab pegol. The full list is on the Rituximab page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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