We recommend delaying some medications during Covid-19 vaccination (including when you receive a booster).
Here is a list of medicines that we recommend that you stop briefly while receiving any vaccine, including the Covid-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine:
Methotrexate – Hold (do not take) methotrexate for 7 days after each vaccine dose. You can resume taking methotrexate on day 8 after each vaccine dose. You do not need to stop methotrexate before you receive either vaccine dose.
JAK inhibitors (Xeljanz, Olumiant, Rinvoq) – Hold (do not take) any of these medications for 7 days after each vaccine dose. You can resume taking the medication on day 8 after each vaccine dose. You do not need to stop any of these medications before you receive either vaccine dose.
Azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate (CellCept) and weekly injectable Benlysta – These medications can affect the response to some vaccines. Please check with your doctor before you have a vaccination if you are taking one of these medications.
Weekly injectable Orencia – It is optimal to schedule your first vaccine dose at least 7 days after your most recent Orencia dose. After you get your first vaccine dose, hold (do not take) Orencia for 7 days. You can resume taking Orencia on day 8 after your first vaccine dose. You can take Orencia normally without interruption before and after your second and third doses of vaccine.
For patients coming to the office to receive IV infusions of Orencia or Rituxan, the timing of treatment and the timing of vaccination will be determined on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor to discuss your infusion schedule.
For all other rheumatologic medications, you can continue taking your medication on a normal schedule without interruption during Covid vaccination. Do not stop or delay Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), Arava (leflunomide), sulfasalazine, prednisone, Otezla, Enbrel, Humira, Simponi, Cimzia, Remicade, Actemra, Kevzara, Cosentyx, Taltz, Stelara, Prolia, Reclast, Evenity, Forteo, or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Please call if you have any questions regarding medication instructions during Covid-19 vaccination.
At this time, there is no known significant difference among the different vaccines in efficacy or safety.
Please contact your doctor with any questions you have about vaccination.