Drug interactions
Human papillomavirus vaccine + Rituximab
Severity: Moderate
Human papillomavirus vaccine 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, which markedly weakens antibody responses to vaccines including HPV vaccine. Patients may remain unprotected despite vaccination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Human papillomavirus vaccine 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.
Human papillomavirus vaccine belongs to Miscellaneous; Rituximab belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Anti-CD20 B-cell depletion impairs humoral vaccine response.
What to do
Give non-live vaccines at least 4 weeks before a rituximab course when possible. If vaccinated during or after therapy, plan revaccination once B cells recover.
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 Human papillomavirus vaccine
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
- Belimumab + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
- Cortisone + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Human papillomavirus vaccine Moderate
Other interactions of Rituximab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Human papillomavirus vaccine with Rituximab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Human papillomavirus vaccine 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, which markedly weakens antibody responses to vaccines including HPV vaccine. Patients may remain unprotected despite vaccination.
How serious is the interaction between Human papillomavirus vaccine 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 non-live vaccines at least 4 weeks before a rituximab course when possible. If vaccinated during or after therapy, plan revaccination once B cells recover.
What other medicines interact with Human papillomavirus vaccine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Human papillomavirus vaccine with, for example, Antithymocyte globulin equine, Antithymocyte globulin rabbit, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Human papillomavirus vaccine page.
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