Drug interactions
Tocilizumab + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Tocilizumab and Varicella virus vaccine live: contraindicated 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 varicella vaccine may cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella in patients receiving tocilizumab. The antibody response may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Tocilizumab and Varicella virus vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
IL-6 receptor blockade impairs control of live attenuated virus replication.
What to do
Do not give live varicella vaccine during tocilizumab therapy. Vaccinate at least 4 weeks before starting if possible, and consider the non-live zoster vaccine in eligible adults.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Tocilizumab 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.
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 Tocilizumab with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Tocilizumab and Varicella virus vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Live varicella vaccine may cause disseminated vaccine-strain varicella in patients receiving tocilizumab. The antibody response may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Tocilizumab and Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give live varicella vaccine during tocilizumab therapy. Vaccinate at least 4 weeks before starting if possible, and consider the non-live zoster vaccine in eligible adults.
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.
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.
