Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Zoster vaccine live
Severity: Major
Hydrocortisone and Zoster vaccine live: major 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 zoster vaccine contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus at higher potency than varicella vaccine. In patients on immunosuppressive hydrocortisone, it may cause disseminated infection and reduced immunity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Zoster vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression impairs control of live attenuated varicella-zoster virus.
What to do
Avoid during immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy and use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine instead where available.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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 Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydrocortisone and Zoster vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Live zoster vaccine contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus at higher potency than varicella vaccine. In patients on immunosuppressive hydrocortisone, it may cause disseminated infection and reduced immunity.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid during immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy and use the recombinant non-live zoster vaccine instead where available.
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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