I have RA and I am on HUMIRA, can I take the shingles vaccine?
I am on multiple meds beside HUMIRA, prednisone, methotrexate, asulfidene, meclomen . I have had chickenpox as a child and am concerned with the thought I could get shingles. Several of my friends and neighbors have had shingles recently. I have discussed the vaccine with my dermatologist and rheumatologist and they say no to any live vaccine whats' your opinion.
Answers from our Doctors
Your doctors are right. Because the Shingles vaccincation (known as Zostervax) is a live virus, you run a risk of sustaining an infection from the vaccination itself. Any biologic medication such as Humira would be a contraindication to receiving this vaccination, as reflected in recently published guidelines from our specialty that just came out this month. If rheumatoid arthritis patients are to receive this vaccination, it should be prior to starting a biologic drug. If you are still concerned, I would discuss this issue with your prescribing doctor to determine if he/she feels the medication could be held for a few months for you to receive the vaccination before resuming. Otherwise, the best policy is awareness of the "warning signs" of shingles and to alert your physician if this develops.
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i am on orencia, methotrexate(10/wk) folic acid prednisone plaquenil, arava boniva,,,,, i came down with shingles a couple of years ago.... what is my chance of getting it again????? i hope none
Is it okay to receive the shingles vaccine, if being treated with Imuran for Churg Strauss?
A study has recently been published that has shown that people on biologics do not have an increased incidence of shingles if they get the vaccine. The study was done by the U. of Alabama and published recently by the American College of Rheumatology. Although it showed no increased risk with biologics during the six-week period following the vaccination, it did show a small number of cases in those people on steroids. My rheumatologist, whom I've been nagging about the vaccine, used to say no. Now, he said he'll think about it, in light of this new study.
Although my doctor was aware I have been on Humira for the past several years, he had no qualms about administering the shingles vaccine. However, I did not have a good reaction and the innoculation site was red and sore and I had a terrible headach. Just wondering what long-term effects I could expect form this situation...