Varivax Drug Interactions

Some of the medications that may cause drug interactions with Varivax include immunosuppressants, salicylates, anticoagulants, and immune globulins or blood products. These interactions could reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine or lead to potentially dangerous effects.

An Overview of Varivax Interactions

Varivax® (varicella vaccine) can potentially interact with a few medications or other vaccines. Some of the medicines or vaccines that may lead to interactions with Varivax include:
  
  • Immune globulins or blood products (such as a blood transfusion)
  • Immunosuppressants, such as:

 

 

 

    • 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®)
    • Etanercept (Enbrel®)
    • Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)
    • Mycophenolate (CellCept®)
    • Sirolimus (Rapamune®)
    • Tacrolimus (Prograf®)

 

  • Salicylates, such as:

 

    • Aspirin (Ecotrin®, Bayer®, Anacin®)
    • Choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate®), diflunisal (Dolobid®)
    • Salsalate (Salflex®, Disalcid®, Amigesic®).

 


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