Skip to content

Drug interactions

Secukinumab + Varicella virus vaccine live

Severity: Major

Secukinumab and Varicella virus 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

Varicella vaccine contains live attenuated virus, and secukinumab may reduce the response or permit vaccine-virus dissemination. Evidence is limited.

What this interaction means in plain words

Secukinumab 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.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Immunomodulation by IL-17A blockade may reduce immunogenicity and impair control of live attenuated virus.

What to do

Confirm varicella immunity and vaccinate before starting secukinumab where possible. Avoid it during treatment.

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?

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

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Secukinumab and Varicella virus vaccine live, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Secukinumab with Varicella virus vaccine live?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Secukinumab 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. Varicella vaccine contains live attenuated virus, and secukinumab may reduce the response or permit vaccine-virus dissemination. Evidence is limited.

How serious is the interaction between Secukinumab 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: Confirm varicella immunity and vaccinate before starting secukinumab where possible. Avoid it during treatment.

What other medicines interact with Secukinumab?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Secukinumab with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Secukinumab page.

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

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in