trastuzumab and Dryvax Interactions

Interactions between trastuzumab and Dryvax (smallpox vaccine)

trastuzumab and smallpox vaccine (Major Drug-Drug)

CONTRAINDICATED: The administration of live smallpox virus vaccine during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy may be associated with a risk of disseminated infection due to enhanced replication of vaccine virus in the presence of diminished immune competence. Patients may be immunosuppressed if they have recently received or are receiving alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents, or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. These patients may also have increased adverse reactions and decreased or suboptimal immunologic response to vaccines. Cases of generalized vaccinia and progressive vaccinia have been reported in HIV patients who received the smallpox vaccine.

MANAGEMENT: Routine, nonemergency smallpox vaccination is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or cancer chemotherapy. Vaccination should be deferred until after such therapy is discontinued for at least 3 months in most cases. In patients who have recently been vaccinated, such therapy should not be initiated for at least 2 weeks. Household contacts of immunosuppressed patients should also not be vaccinated. However, there are no absolute contraindications to vaccination if a high-risk exposure has occurred. In an outbreak emergency, smallpox vaccine is recommended for all persons, regardless of medical conditions. The risk for experiencing serious complications from the vaccine should be weighed against the risk of acquiring a potentially fatal smallpox infection.