Drug interactions
Prednisone + Zoster vaccine recombinant
Severity: Moderate
Prednisone and Zoster vaccine recombinant: 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
Immunosuppressive doses of prednisone may reduce the immune response to the recombinant zoster vaccine, leading to a lower level of protection. Because the vaccine is non-live, it is not contraindicated and can be given to immunosuppressed patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisone and Zoster vaccine recombinant 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
Glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of T-cell and antibody responses reduces vaccine immunogenicity.
What to do
Where possible, vaccinate before starting immunosuppressive therapy or when the steroid dose is lowest. Do not delay the vaccine in patients who need ongoing steroids, as the benefit of vaccination outweighs the reduced response.
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 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 Zoster vaccine recombinant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisone and Zoster vaccine recombinant 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. Immunosuppressive doses of prednisone may reduce the immune response to the recombinant zoster vaccine, leading to a lower level of protection. Because the vaccine is non-live, it is not contraindicated and can be given to immunosuppressed patients.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisone and Zoster vaccine recombinant?
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 before starting immunosuppressive therapy or when the steroid dose is lowest. Do not delay the vaccine in patients who need ongoing steroids, as the benefit of vaccination outweighs the reduced response.
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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