Drug Interactions With the Shingles Vaccine

Immunosuppressants, immune globulins, and other vaccines could potentially cause drug interactions with the shingles vaccine. These medications may decrease your body's ability to produce an immune response to the shingles vaccine, making the vaccine less effective. To minimize your risk of developing negative shingles vaccine interactions, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking before getting vaccinated.

Shingles Vaccine Drug Interactions: An Introduction

The shingles vaccine (Zostavax®) can potentially interact with several other medicines. Some of these medicines that may lead to shingles vaccine interactions include:
 
  • Immune globulins (various products made up of human antibodies collected from blood donors)
  • Immunosuppressants (medications that can suppress the immune system), such as:
o Certain monoclonal antibodies or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, including:
 
o Chemotherapy medications
o Corticosteroids, such as:
 
  • Betamethasone (Celestone®)
  • Corticotropin
  • Cortisone
  • Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
  • Fludrocortisone (Florinef®)
  • Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
  • Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol®, Medrol®)
  • Prednisolone (Pediapred®)
  • Prednisone
  • Triamcinolone (Kenalog®)
 
  • Other vaccines.

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    Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
    Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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