Drug interactions
Meningococcal group b vaccine + Paclitaxel
Severity: Moderate
Meningococcal group b vaccine and Paclitaxel: 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
Chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression can blunt the antibody response to the meningococcal B vaccine. Patients may therefore be incompletely protected. The vaccine is non-live and is not unsafe in this setting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meningococcal group b vaccine and Paclitaxel 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
Myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive effects of paclitaxel impair vaccine immune response.
What to do
Where possible vaccinate at least two weeks before chemotherapy or between cycles when counts recover; do not rely on the response in neutropenic patients.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Meningococcal group b vaccine and Paclitaxel, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Paclitaxel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meningococcal group b vaccine with Paclitaxel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meningococcal group b vaccine and Paclitaxel 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. Chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression can blunt the antibody response to the meningococcal B vaccine. Patients may therefore be incompletely protected. The vaccine is non-live and is not unsafe in this setting.
How serious is the interaction between Meningococcal group b vaccine and Paclitaxel?
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 at least two weeks before chemotherapy or between cycles when counts recover; do not rely on the response in neutropenic patients.
What other medicines interact with Paclitaxel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Paclitaxel with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Cobicistat, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Paclitaxel page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
