Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Rabies vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxychloroquine and Rabies 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
Chloroquine, a closely related drug, has been reported to reduce the antibody response to intradermal rabies vaccine. Hydroxychloroquine is expected to behave similarly to a lesser degree, and the effect is mainly relevant to pre-exposure intradermal regimens. Intramuscular regimens are less affected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine and Rabies 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
Possible blunting of the antibody response through immunomodulatory effects, extrapolated from chloroquine data.
What to do
Prefer the intramuscular route for rabies vaccination in patients on hydroxychloroquine, and check rabies neutralizing antibody titres after pre-exposure vaccination when risk of exposure continues.
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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxychloroquine with Rabies vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxychloroquine and Rabies 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. Chloroquine, a closely related drug, has been reported to reduce the antibody response to intradermal rabies vaccine. Hydroxychloroquine is expected to behave similarly to a lesser degree, and the effect is mainly relevant to pre-exposure intradermal regimens. Intramuscular regimens are less affected.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine and Rabies 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: Prefer the intramuscular route for rabies vaccination in patients on hydroxychloroquine, and check rabies neutralizing antibody titres after pre-exposure vaccination when risk of exposure continues.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Cisapride, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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