Drug interactions
Prednisone + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Major
Prednisone and Varicella virus vaccine live: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Immunosuppressive prednisone doses can impair the response to live varicella vaccine and allow disseminated vaccine-strain varicella. This is a risk of severe infection as well as inadequate immunity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisone and Varicella virus vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Corticosteroid-induced suppression of cell-mediated immunity permits uncontrolled replication of the live attenuated virus.
What to do
With high-dose or prolonged therapy, give the vaccine at least 1 month after prednisone is stopped. Low-dose or short-course therapy does not generally preclude vaccination; follow local guidance.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Prednisone with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Prednisone and Varicella virus vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Immunosuppressive prednisone doses can impair the response to live varicella vaccine and allow disseminated vaccine-strain varicella. This is a risk of severe infection as well as inadequate immunity.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisone and Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: With high-dose or prolonged therapy, give the vaccine at least 1 month after prednisone is stopped. Low-dose or short-course therapy does not generally preclude vaccination; follow local guidance.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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