Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Yellow fever vaccine
Severity: Minor
Hydroxychloroquine and Yellow fever vaccine: minor 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 inhibits yellow fever vaccine virus replication in vitro, but antibody responses in people taking it do not appear to be adversely affected. Hydroxychloroquine is expected to behave similarly. No clinically important loss of vaccine response is established.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine and Yellow fever vaccine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
In vitro inhibition of vaccine virus replication, without proven clinical impact on antibody response.
What to do
Vaccination can proceed normally without stopping hydroxychloroquine. Check serology only if there is a specific concern about immune response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Yellow fever vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Hydroxychloroquine and Yellow fever vaccine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Chloroquine inhibits yellow fever vaccine virus replication in vitro, but antibody responses in people taking it do not appear to be adversely affected. Hydroxychloroquine is expected to behave similarly. No clinically important loss of vaccine response is established.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine and Yellow fever vaccine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Vaccination can proceed normally without stopping hydroxychloroquine. Check serology only if there is a specific concern about immune response.
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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