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Drug interactions

Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent + Tacrolimus

Severity: Moderate

Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tacrolimus: 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

Tacrolimus can lower the antibody response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The vaccine is non-live and remains recommended in transplant recipients because the risk of pneumococcal disease is raised.

What this interaction means in plain words

Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tacrolimus 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Calcineurin inhibition suppresses T-cell help required for antibody responses.

What to do

Give pneumococcal vaccination according to the schedule for immunocompromised patients, ideally before transplant. Do not withhold tacrolimus.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent with Tacrolimus?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tacrolimus 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. Tacrolimus can lower the antibody response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The vaccine is non-live and remains recommended in transplant recipients because the risk of pneumococcal disease is raised.

How serious is the interaction between Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tacrolimus?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give pneumococcal vaccination according to the schedule for immunocompromised patients, ideally before transplant. Do not withhold tacrolimus.

What other medicines interact with Tacrolimus?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Tacrolimus with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Cidofovir. The full list is on the Tacrolimus page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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