Drug interactions
Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent + Tocilizumab
Severity: Moderate
Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tocilizumab: 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
Tocilizumab may modestly reduce the immune response to pneumococcal vaccine, but the vaccine is non-live and safe to give. Patients on tocilizumab are at increased infection risk, so vaccination remains important.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tocilizumab 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
IL-6 receptor blockade can dampen antibody production after vaccination.
What to do
Give pneumococcal vaccine, ideally before starting tocilizumab; continue therapy if already established.
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 Tocilizumab
- Bcg vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Rubella vaccine + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
- Smallpox vaccine live + Tocilizumab Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent with Tocilizumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tocilizumab 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. Tocilizumab may modestly reduce the immune response to pneumococcal vaccine, but the vaccine is non-live and safe to give. Patients on tocilizumab are at increased infection risk, so vaccination remains important.
How serious is the interaction between Pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent and Tocilizumab?
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 vaccine, ideally before starting tocilizumab; continue therapy if already established.
What other medicines interact with Tocilizumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tocilizumab with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Tocilizumab page.
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