Drug interactions
Tocilizumab + Zidovudine
Severity: Minor
Tocilizumab and Zidovudine: minor 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
In inflammatory states, raised IL-6 suppresses CYP enzymes, and tocilizumab blocks this effect so enzyme activity returns toward normal. This could lower exposure to CYP3A4 substrates, but zidovudine is cleared mainly by glucuronidation, so a meaningful effect is unlikely and poorly documented.
What this interaction means in plain words
Tocilizumab and Zidovudine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Tocilizumab belongs to Musculoskeletal; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Normalization of IL-6-suppressed CYP450 activity after IL-6 receptor blockade; zidovudine is minimally CYP3A4 dependent.
What to do
No routine adjustment is needed; monitor virologic response and zidovudine-related hematologic toxicity as usual.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Tocilizumab and Zidovudine, 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
Other interactions of Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Tocilizumab with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Tocilizumab and Zidovudine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. In inflammatory states, raised IL-6 suppresses CYP enzymes, and tocilizumab blocks this effect so enzyme activity returns toward normal. This could lower exposure to CYP3A4 substrates, but zidovudine is cleared mainly by glucuronidation, so a meaningful effect is unlikely and poorly documented.
How serious is the interaction between Tocilizumab and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine adjustment is needed; monitor virologic response and zidovudine-related hematologic toxicity as usual.
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.
