If you have to take several medications, you should know that the ingredients of the individual medicines can influence each other. But does that also apply to the corona vaccination? Do vaccines affect the effectiveness of other medications? We clarify.
The corona vaccination raises many questions – topics related to side effects are of great interest to many people. The corona vaccines are considered to be very effective and well tolerated. This also applies to the interactions of other medications.
The Federal Ministry of Health writes about this online:
To the best of our knowledge, there are no known interactions between drugs and any of the approved vaccines.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also gives the all-clear:
Serious so-called adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after vaccinations are very rare. According to § 6 paragraph 1 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), the suspicion of damage to health that goes beyond the usual extent of a vaccination reaction must be reported by name.
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Corona vaccination: people with heart disease need to know this
Before the corona vaccination, a detailed medical history is taken, in which you must state your previous illnesses and the medication you are taking. If you have to receive another vaccination before the corona vaccination, there must be an interval of at least 14 days. The same applies to subsequent vaccinations. This does not apply to emergency vaccinations.
Heart disease patients who need medication such as blood thinners can continue to take them and be vaccinated against the coronavirus. In these cases, the RKI recommends using a cannula that is as fine as possible. As a precaution, experts recommend a longer follow-up period of 15 to 30 minutes for people with a coagulation disorder. People who are taking aspirin or antihypertensive drugs because of their heart disease or who suffer from heart failure can also be vaccinated and need not fear any interactions. Anyone with cardiac arrhythmia should also be vaccinated. Anyone with a pacemakercan also easily be vaccinated against Corona. The same applies to people who have a stent .
Important: Under no circumstances should you stop taking your medication before the corona vaccination. If you are unsure or have any questions about the corona vaccination, contact your doctor.
Is a corona vaccination advisable during chemotherapy?
During chemotherapy, the immune system of the affected person is weakened. According to Prof. Carsten Watzl, immunologist at the TU Dortmund, this has no effect on the safety of the vaccinations. However, what may be possible: The vaccination is based on an immune reaction. “In the worst case, the vaccination can be completely useless if the immune system is so severely damaged or weakened,” Watzl explains to SWR . Those affected should discuss with a doctor whether vaccination is advisable only after chemotherapy has been completed. People who are about to undergo chemotherapy should be vaccinated beforehand.
People with pre-existing conditions should be vaccinated
People with previous illnesses are explicitly advised to be vaccinated against the corona virus. As a chronically ill person, you are one of those people who have an increased risk of a severe course of the disease if you become infected with the coronavirus.
These include, for example, people with kidney disease who are dependent on dialysis. Since they sometimes have to go to the hospital for dialysis for a few hours several times a week and come into contact with doctors, medical staff and other patients, they are exposed to a high risk of infection and the risk of developing a severe course.
Allergy sufferers must take this into account before the corona vaccination
The German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) warns against this on its website. The antihistamines ensure that allergic skin reactions after vaccination are suppressed. However, these are an early warning signal that reports an allergic shock. Anyone who is currently undergoing hyposensitization against allergies should keep a gap of at least one week before the Covid 19 vaccination.
Flu-like reactions after corona vaccination: painkillers allowed
After the corona vaccination, flu-like vaccination reactions can occur. They show that your body is dealing with the vaccine and your immune system is working. The most common symptoms are fatigue, headache and joint pain, chills and fever as well as redness and pain at the injection site . These symptoms usually subside after a day or two. In its information sheets on the corona vaccination, the Robert Koch Institute recommends that fever-reducing painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken to counteract the symptoms. However, the Federal Ministry of Health warns and advises only taking painkillers if symptoms or fever occur.
However, the RKI warns against taking painkillers beforehand in order to prevent possible vaccination reactions. The RKI says online: “Based on the findings from studies with other vaccines, experts assume that prophylactic administration of antipyretic or pain-relieving drugs is not recommended.” The reason: having painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol Inhibitors that can affect antibody formation.
On the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), fever-reducing painkillers should not be taken before vaccinations.
If you are taking other prescription drugs, discuss with your doctor before the vaccination whether and which painkillers are suitable for you and whether an interaction is to be feared. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut records all side effects and vaccination reactions of the corona vaccination and accepts your reports of suspected side effects of medicines. found online here .
