Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Influenza a vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Influenza a vaccine: 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
Corticosteroids at above physiologic doses can blunt antibody response to vaccines. The immune response to the H5N1 vaccine may therefore be weaker in patients on higher-dose hydrocortisone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Influenza a vaccine 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
Glucocorticoid-induced immunosuppression reduces lymphocyte activation and antibody production after vaccination.
What to do
Where possible, vaccinate when steroid dose is at or near physiologic replacement. Do not withhold vaccination in patients who need ongoing steroids.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Influenza a vaccine 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. Corticosteroids at above physiologic doses can blunt antibody response to vaccines. The immune response to the H5N1 vaccine may therefore be weaker in patients on higher-dose hydrocortisone.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where possible, vaccinate when steroid dose is at or near physiologic replacement. Do not withhold vaccination in patients who need ongoing steroids.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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