Warnings

Shingrix

Medically Reviewed by HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D.

Last Reviewed: Jun 27, 2024

Warnings

Shingrix Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Shingrix can cause serious side effects in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options if you are at high risk of complications from Shingrix use.

SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Shingrix, like any other vaccine, can rarely cause severe allergic reactions. Prior to administration, your healthcare provider would review your past history of any allergic reactions to vaccines. After receiving your vaccine, your doctor may urge you to wait at the clinic for a little while to ensure you can receive the necessary care in the event of a serious allergic reaction. These reactions can occasionally occur when you've already left the clinic. Call your healthcare professional immediately if you develop any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, face swelling, throat closing, trouble breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shivering, nausea, or chest discomfort. After Shingrix administration, proper medical care and supervision for the management of possible anaphylactic reactions should be readily available.
SYNCOPE (FAINTING): Injectable vaccines, including Shingrix, can cause syncope (fainting). Signs of fainting can include vision changes, ringing in the ears, dizziness, burning sensation, and stiffening or twitching of your arms and legs. Fainting can happen before or after needle injection. Tell your provider if you have a history of fainting with a previous dose of vaccine so that they can monitor you so as to prevent falling injury and reestablish cerebral blood flow after a syncope.
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (GBS): Guillain barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare serious nervous system disorder that results in muscle weakness and paralysis. This condition has been reported very rarely following vaccination with Shingrix, usually within one and a half months after receiving the vaccination. Old age is a risk factor. If you have any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Precautions Before Starting Shingrix

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of the herpes zoster vaccine, have any severe, life-threatening history of allergies, or are currently suffering from shingles. In certain circumstances, your doctor may choose to postpone shingles vaccination until a later appointment.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Shingrix may not be right for people with certain medical conditions. Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider can discuss with you the benefits and risks involved.

Inform your healthcare provider if you have been recently given another vaccine.

Let your healthcare professional know if you have an infection with a high temperature. The vaccine might be delayed until recovery in these situations. Immunizations are permitted for those who have minor ailments like a cold.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a bleeding issue or bruise easily, if you previously fainted after receiving an injection, or if your immune system has been compromised by an illness, medication (such as high-dose corticosteroids or cancer therapies), or other forms of treatment. Your doctor will monitor you accordingly.

Precautions During Use of Shingrix

If you have any queries regarding how Shingrix is administered, discuss them with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Your healthcare provider or nurse will give Shingrix as an intramuscular injection.

Maintain your follow-up visits with the clinic or doctor. Make sure you complete the complete immunization program. By doing this, the efficacy of Shingrix will be maximized.

There is no clear information on whether Shingrix can affect the ability to use machines or drive. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Shingrix Drug Interactions

Taking Shingrix with certain drugs can affect how the medications work. Possible interactions between drugs can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your healthcare professional may choose a different medication for you, change the dose or frequency of your medications, and/or closely monitor you for side effects if there are known interactions between Shingrix and your other drugs.

Shingrix is usually safe to use with or after the administration of certain other vaccines. Ask your physician if you are worried about possible interactions between Shingrix and other vaccines. If Shingrix and another vaccine are given at the same time, each vaccine should be injected at a separate site.

Taking Shingrix with drugs that suppress your immune system can affect how your body responds to Shingrix. Examples of immunosuppressive drugs include:

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone (Deltasone) and budesonide (Pulmicort)

Monoclonal antibodies, such as adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and rituximab (Rituxan)

Other immunosuppressive medications, such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Rheumatrex, Trexall), mycophenolate (CellCept, Myfortic), tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

The above list may not describe all possible interactions of Shingrix. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your health care professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

Find the best discount on Shingrix »