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Drug Interactions With the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
If the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is given in combination with certain other drugs, interactions could occur. For example, if you are taking an immunosuppressant (such as azathioprine, chemotherapy, or corticosteroids), you may not receive the full benefit of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Problems may also occur if you are taking anticoagulant medications during the time of vaccination.
An Overview of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Interactions
An Overview of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Interactions
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13®) can potentially interact with a few medications or other vaccines. Some of the medicines or vaccines that may lead to drug interactions with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine include:
- Anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) or heparin
- Immunosuppressants, such as:
- Azathioprine (Imuran®)
- Certain biologic medications, such as:
- Abatacept (Orencia®)
- Adalimumab (Humira®)
- Alefacept (Amevive®)
- Alemtuzumab (Campath®)
- Anakinra (Kineret™)
- Basiliximab (Simulect®)
- Canakinumab (Ilaris®)
- Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®)
- Daclizumab (Zenapax®)
- Eculizumab (Soliris®)
- Efalizumab (Raptiva®)
- Etanercept (Enbrel®)
- Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®)
- Glatiramer (Copaxone®)
- Golimumab (Simponi™)
- Infliximab (Remicade®)
- Ibritumomab (Zevalin®)
- Muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone OKT®)
- Natalizumab (Tysabri®)
- Ofatumumab (Arzerra™)
- Rilonacept (Arcalyst™)
- Rituximab (Rituxan®)
- Tositumomab (Bexxar®)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara™)
- Chemotherapy (as well as radiation treatment)
- Corticosteroids, such as:
- Betamethasone (Celestone®)
- Cortisone
- Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
- Fludrocortisone (Florinef®)
- Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
- Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol®, Medrol®)
- Prednisolone (Pediapred®)
- Prednisone
- Triamcinolone (Kenalog®)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®)
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)
- Mycophenolate (CellCept®)
- Sirolimus (Rapamune®)
- Tacrolimus (Prograf®).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD



