Relugolix and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Relugolix
Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
These two are not a good match at the same time. Relugolix (Orgovyx) is used mainly to treat certain cancers, like prostate cancer, and being on cancer treatment can weaken your body's defenses. The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened but living virus.
When your immune system is already lowered, that weakened virus can sometimes cause a real infection instead of just teaching your body to fight it. This can lead to a widespread rash or a more serious illness. The good news is this is easy to plan around. Please talk with your doctor or pharmacist before getting any vaccine so they can choose the safest option and timing for you.
Contraindicated combination. Live attenuated varicella vaccine should not be administered to patients who are immunosuppressed by disease or therapy. Relugolix is used in oncologic settings where the underlying malignancy and treatment context may impair immunocompetence.
- Mechanism: attenuated live virus can replicate unchecked in a diminished immune response, producing disseminated varicella disease or extensive vaccine-associated rash.
- Direction/PD: reduced host immune defense increases infection risk from the vaccine strain.
- Evidence: established; CDC guidance.
- Management: avoid live varicella vaccine in immunosuppressed patients. Per CDC, patients in remission with restored immunocompetence whose chemotherapy has stopped for at least 3 months may receive live vaccine.
What happens
An increased risk of infection by the live vaccine
Interaction Deep Dive
The varicella vaccine should not be given to people whose immune systems are compromised or suppressed, whether because of an underlying illness or as a result of medical treatment. In cases where immunosuppressed or immunodeficient patients were mistakenly given a varicella-containing vaccine, both disseminated varicella disease and widespread vaccine-related rash have occurred3. CDC recommendations identify the varicella vaccine as contraindicated for those who have hematologic or solid tumors, are undergoing chemotherapy, have a congenital immunodeficiency, or are on long-term immunosuppressive treatment2. A live vaccine may be administered to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or other malignancies provided that their disease is in remission, their immunocompetence has been restored, and their chemotherapy has been stopped for a minimum of 3 months1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Decreased immune response allows live vaccine to produce infection
How to manage this interaction
The safest step here is to avoid the live varicella vaccine while your immune system may be weakened. Your care team can manage this by planning ahead.
- Keep taking your prescribed relugolix as directed. Do not change it on your own.
- Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on relugolix and being treated for a serious condition.
- Your team may choose to delay the live vaccine, or give it only once your immune system has recovered (CDC allows live vaccines once chemotherapy has stopped for at least 3 months and immunocompetence is restored).
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor which vaccines are safe for you right now.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Relugolix and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live together?
Do not get the live chickenpox (varicella) vaccine while your immune system may be lowered by cancer or its treatment; talk with your doctor or pharmacist first so they can plan safe timing. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Relugolix and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Relugolix and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live interaction managed?
The safest step here is to avoid the live varicella vaccine while your immune system may be weakened. Your care team can manage this by planning ahead. Keep taking your prescribed relugolix as directed. Do not change it on your own. Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on relugolix and being treated for a serious condition. Your team may choose to delay the live vaccine, or give it on… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "established". Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Relugolix or Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (3)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Vaccines & Immunizations: altered immunocompetence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atlanta, GA. 2024.
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD): Vaccines & immunizations: contraindications and precautions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atlanta, GA. 2024.
- Product Information: VARIVAX(R) intramuscular, subcutaneous injection (refrigerator), varicella virus vaccine live intramuscular, subcutaneous injection (refrigerator). Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp (per FDA), Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2023.
Keep reading about Relugolix
Keep reading about Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
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