Drug interactions
Sarilumab + Smallpox vaccine live
Severity: Major
Sarilumab and Smallpox vaccine live: major 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
Live vaccinia vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia and serious spread of vaccine virus in immunosuppressed patients. Sarilumab impairs immune responses and increases this risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sarilumab and Smallpox 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
IL-6 receptor blockade suppresses host immunity, allowing replication of live vaccinia virus.
What to do
Avoid live smallpox vaccine during sarilumab therapy unless the exposure risk clearly outweighs the danger. Seek infectious disease advice if vaccination is considered essential.
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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Other interactions of Sarilumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sarilumab with Smallpox vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Sarilumab and Smallpox 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. Live vaccinia vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia and serious spread of vaccine virus in immunosuppressed patients. Sarilumab impairs immune responses and increases this risk.
How serious is the interaction between Sarilumab and Smallpox 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: Avoid live smallpox vaccine during sarilumab therapy unless the exposure risk clearly outweighs the danger. Seek infectious disease advice if vaccination is considered essential.
What other medicines interact with Sarilumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sarilumab with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Dengue vaccine. The full list is on the Sarilumab page.
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