Drug interactions
Tocilizumab + Zoster vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Tocilizumab and Zoster 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 attenuated zoster vaccine should not be given to patients on tocilizumab because immunosuppression raises the risk of disseminated vaccine-strain varicella infection. Vaccine response may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Tocilizumab and Zoster 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
Immunosuppression impairs control of replicating live attenuated virus.
What to do
Avoid live vaccines during tocilizumab therapy; use the recombinant zoster vaccine instead. If a live vaccine is needed, give it at least 4 weeks before starting tocilizumab.
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?
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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 Zoster vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Tocilizumab and Zoster 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 attenuated zoster vaccine should not be given to patients on tocilizumab because immunosuppression raises the risk of disseminated vaccine-strain varicella infection. Vaccine response may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Tocilizumab and Zoster 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: Avoid live vaccines during tocilizumab therapy; use the recombinant zoster vaccine instead. If a live vaccine is needed, give it at least 4 weeks before starting tocilizumab.
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.
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