Can I get a flu shot while taking Cosentyx?
The answer is both yes and no, so it is a little bit complicated.
- No, you should NOT have a live flu vaccination (live-attenuated vaccines) while on Cosentyx as you may end up with a severe reaction from the virus infection spreading throughout your body as it is uncontrolled by your suppressed immune system. An example of a live flu vaccination is FluMist which you should NOT have while on Cosentyx
- Yes, you can have a non-live flu (inactivated vaccines) vaccination and recombinant flu vaccination while on Cosentyx because it is unable to cause an infection, as it can not replicate. However because Cosentyx works by decreasing the immune response, you may not get a benefit from having the vaccination, this is because the immune response may be so small that it isn’t enough to prevent the flu.
What is the difference between live, non-live vaccines and recombinant vaccines?
Vaccines work by teaching your immune system to fight off viruses, bacterial or toxins.
- Live vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines) use a weakened form of the virus so that the body creates a strong long lasting protection against the virus.
- Non-live vaccines (inactivated vaccines) use a killed version of the flu virus that the body’s immune system responds to and forms an immunity to the virus.
- Recombinant vaccines (subunit or conjugate vaccines) use a specific piece of the flu virus that causes the body to create an immune response to the flu virus.
What is Cosentyx?
Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an immunosuppressant injection that works by decreasing the body immune response. In plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults and active enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) these conditions are caused by the immune system being overactive against your own body. Cosentyx works by decreasing the immune response, you then have less symptoms, and your condition improves or stabilizes.
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Bottom line
- Cosentyx is an immunosuppressant medicine which reduces your immune system.
- Flu vaccinations help prevent the flu by teaching your immune system to fight off the flu virus.
- Live flu vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines) should be avoided while on Cosentyx as you risk getting severe infection as the virus can replicate if your immune system is suppressed
- Non-live flu vaccines (inactivated vaccines) and recombinant flu vaccines may be given while on Cosentyx, but you may not have a benefit from the vaccine and the immune response may be too small to prevent the flu.
References
- Cosentyx Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/cosentyx.html
- Drugs.com Interaction checker: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=3589-16950,1338-17229&types%5B%5D=major&types%5B%5D=minor&types%5B%5D=moderate&types%5B%5D=food&types%5B%5D=therapeutic_duplication&professional=1
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/types
- Secukinumab in enthesitis-related arthritis and juvenile psoriatic arthritis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, treatment withdrawal, phase 3 trial. [Accessed February 13, 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9811076/
Read next
Is Cosentyx Effective for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Cosentyx has demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits for many adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa, helping to reduce painful symptoms and improve daily life. While it may not work for everyone, it represents an important new option, especially for those who have not responded to other treatments.
Continue reading
Cosentyx vs Humira: How do they compare?
Both Cosentyx and Humira are available as subcutaneous injections (which means given under the skin) and may be used to treat certain inflammatory conditions such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and ankylosing spondylitis. Cosentyx is also available as an IV injection that can be administered by a healthcare provider. After an initial loading dose, Humira is given every two weeks and Cosentyx every four weeks. Continue reading
Does Cosentyx cause weight gain or loss?
Although weight gain or weight loss are not listed as side effects in the manufacturer's product information for Cosentyx, anecdotally several people have reported weight gain, some significant, during Cosentyx treatment. But most people who gained weight decided to continue with Cosentyx treatment because it had effectively cleared their psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Weight loss has been noted as a rare side effect of Cosentyx in post-marketing reports. Continue reading
See also:
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Drug information
Related support groups
- Cosentyx (22 questions, 25 members)
- Secukinumab (9 questions, 6 members)