Drug interactions
Meningococcal group b vaccine + Topotecan
Severity: Moderate
Meningococcal group b vaccine and Topotecan: 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
Topotecan causes myelosuppression and impaired immune function, which can blunt the antibody response to inactivated vaccines such as meningococcal B. Patients may therefore have inadequate protection despite vaccination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meningococcal group b vaccine and Topotecan 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
Cytotoxic chemotherapy suppresses lymphocyte function and so reduces vaccine immunogenicity.
What to do
Where feasible, vaccinate at least 2 weeks before starting chemotherapy or delay until immune recovery after the cycle. Do not regard vaccination during chemotherapy as reliably protective, and revaccinate if needed.
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 Topotecan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Topotecan Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Topotecan Major
- Cisplatin + Topotecan Major
- Cobicistat + Topotecan Major
- Cyclosporine + Topotecan Major
- Cyclosporin + Topotecan Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meningococcal group b vaccine with Topotecan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meningococcal group b vaccine and Topotecan 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. Topotecan causes myelosuppression and impaired immune function, which can blunt the antibody response to inactivated vaccines such as meningococcal B. Patients may therefore have inadequate protection despite vaccination.
How serious is the interaction between Meningococcal group b vaccine and Topotecan?
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 feasible, vaccinate at least 2 weeks before starting chemotherapy or delay until immune recovery after the cycle. Do not regard vaccination during chemotherapy as reliably protective, and revaccinate if needed.
What other medicines interact with Topotecan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Topotecan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Amiodarone, Cisplatin. The full list is on the Topotecan page.
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